Kind of like
Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 11 of 71What do you think
Describe something by likeness when you lack the exact word.
- -ppoi-ish; kind of like; seems like
- ... mitai nalike, ...; something like ... (trailing hedge)
- ... ni niteruit's like ...; it looks like ...; it's similar to ...
Mix-ups trailing mitai na ('like, ...') vs mitai (want to see).
-ppoi
-ish; kind of like; seems like
Attaches to a noun to say something has that quality: kodomoppoi (childish), kazeppoi (feels like a cold).
Also a casual hedge on news: ashita ameppoi yo (looks like rain tomorrow).
kare, chotto kodomoppoi tokoro aru yo ne.
He can be a bit childish, can't he?
彼、ちょっと子供っぽいところあるよね。
kyou wa chotto kazeppoi n desu.
I think I'm coming down with a cold today.
今日はちょっと風邪っぽいんです。
Written 〜っぽいWho you say it and hear itHeard 525× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
... mitai na
like, ...; something like ... (trailing hedge)
Ends a quote or rough idea to keep it vague or playful.
Before a noun it means 'like, similar to': neko mitai na hito (a cat-like person).
tsukarete, mou dou demo ii, mitai na.
I was so tired, like, I just didn't care anymore.
疲れて、もうどうでもいい、みたいな。
Written 〜みたいなWho you say it and hear itHeard 2910× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
... ni niteru
polite ... ni nite imasu
it's like ...; it looks like ...; it's similar to ...
Compares looks, taste or style; for family it means 'takes after': haha ni niteru.
Use niteru (nite iru), not plain niru, to say two things look alike.
kare, ano haiyuu ni niteru to omowanai?
Don't you think he looks like that actor?
彼、あの俳優に似てると思わない？
kono ryouri, tai ryouri ni nite imasu ne.
This dish is a lot like Thai food.
この料理、タイ料理に似ていますね。
Written 〜に似てる · 〜ににてる · 〜に似ていますWho you say it and hear itHeard 185× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles