GrammarJLPT N5
→ -like
Looks like / Seems like / -like
JLPT N5SuffixCasual spoken
みたい is a colloquial suffix that attaches to nouns, verbs, and adjectives to express resemblance ("like ~") or conjecture based on evidence ("it seems like ~"). It functions grammatically as a な-adjective after attachment, so it takes な before nouns and に before verbs when used adverbially. みたい is the casual spoken equivalent of ようだ; while ようだ is appropriate in writing and formal speech, みたい is preferred in everyday conversation. It differs from らしい, which conveys hearsay or typicality, and from そうだ (appearance), which is based on immediate visual impression. みたい can express both "it appears / seems" (conjecture) and "it is like ~ / resembles ~" (simile), making it extremely versatile in casual Japanese.
Functions
#1 Expressing resemblance or simile
Structure
Noun + みたい + な + Noun / Noun + みたい + に + Verb
あの子は人形みたいだね。
Here みたい attaches directly to the noun 人形 (doll) to draw a comparison, meaning the child resembles a doll. This is the simile use of みたい, equivalent to English "-like" or "looks like." When modifying another noun, you would add な (e.g., 人形みたいな目 — doll-like eyes), and when modifying a verb adverbially, you would add に (e.g., 子供みたいに泣く — cry like a child).That child looks like a doll, doesn't she?
Structures
- Noun
- Noun + みたい
- Verb (plain form)
- Verb (plain form) + みたい
- い-Adjective
- い-Adjective + みたい
- な-Adjective
- な-Adjective (stem) + みたい
Common mistakes
A frequent mistake is confusing みたい with そうだ (appearance). Remember that そうだ attaches to the verb/adjective stem (e.g., 美味しそう) and expresses a visual impression, while みたい attaches to the plain/dictionary form and expresses inference or resemblance. Another common error is forgetting that みたい functions as a な-adjective: learners often say ×子供みたい人 instead of the correct 子供みたいな人, or ×子供みたい遊ぶ instead of 子供みたいに遊ぶ. Additionally, some learners use みたい in formal writing or business contexts where ようだ would be far more appropriate, since みたい is fundamentally a colloquial expression. Finally, be careful not to confuse the suffix みたい with the verb 見たい (want to see); context and accent usually distinguish them, but in writing they can look similar.
Related
ようだらしいっぽいそうだ (appearance)まるで〜のようだ