みたいだ

みたいだ
expression
it seems; looks like; similar to
informalgrammatical
1. it seems; it looks like; apparently
Colloquial equivalent of ようだ. Expresses inference or appearance based on observation. Attaches to the plain form of verbs and adjectives, and directly to nouns.
彼女(かのじょ)は疲(つか)れているみたいだ。
She seems tired.
どうやら電車(でんしゃ)が止(と)まっているみたいよ。
Apparently the train has stopped.
彼(かれ)が試験(しけん)に合格(ごうかく)したのは本当(ほんとう)みたいだ。さっき本人(ほんにん)から連絡(れんらく)が来(き)た。
It seems to be true that he passed the exam. We just heard from him directly.
2. like; similar to; as if
Expresses a comparison or resemblance, functioning like the English 'like' or 'as if.' Used with みたいな (noun modifier) or みたいに (adverb).
彼女(かのじょ)は人形(にんぎょう)みたいだ。
She looks like a doll.
夢(ゆめ)みたいな出来事(できごと)が起(お)きた。
Something happened that was like a dream.
子(こ)どもみたいに泣(な)くのはやめて。もう大人(おとな)でしょ。
Stop crying like a child. You're an adult now.

Colloquial counterpart of ようだ. More common in spoken Japanese and casual writing; ようだ is preferred in formal or written contexts.

Common forms

  • ～みたいだ: seems/looks like (predicate)
  • ～みたいな: like, such as (noun modifier)
  • ～みたいに: like, as if (adverb)

Attachment

Similar words

  • ようだ: colloquial equivalent, more formal/written
  • らしい: hearsay/characteristic evidence — implies evidence from others' reports
  • そうだ: looks like; appears (based on direct visual observation or hearsay)

Related Words

Compare: ようだ (colloquial equivalent, more…)
Compare: らしい (hearsay/characteristic evidence)
Compare: そうだ (looks like)
Compare: ごとし (like)
general
Added 2026.6.12 6:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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