Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 12/20

様(よう) + に・な

As・like, Just like

Structure

Verb + よう + に + Verb(1)
Verb + よう + な + Noun

(1) Adverb、［い］Adjective、［な］Adjective

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About ように・ような

We have seen many cases now where the auxiliary verb ようだ may be modified slightly to show that something is being done 'in a way' that will bring about a specific outcome. In this lesson, we will look at how ような (when used with nouns), or ように (when used with verbs) may be used with almost any noun/verb, to show that they are being done/existing in a particular manner.
  • 彼(かれ)は亀(かめ)のように走(はし)る。
    He runs like a turtle.
  • バケツをひっくり返(かえ)したように雨(あめ)が降(ふ)っている。
    It is raining like a bucket was flipped over. (It's pouring rain)
  • 彼(かれ)の車(くるま)は工場(こうじょう)のような臭(にお)いがする。
    His car smells like a factory. (His car has an industrial smell)
  • キトウ先生(せんせい)は鬼(おに)のような怒(おこ)り方(かた)をする。
    The way Kito-sensei gets mad is like a demon.
Sometimes, this structure is used purely to express the speaker's uncertainty about whether (B) really is being done/existing in the way of (A). In these cases, ように (or ような) will be translated as 'as if', or 'as though'.
  • 彼(かれ)は今(いま)、人(ひと)を殺(ころ)すような目(め)をしている。
    Right now, his eyes look as if he is about to kill someone.

Synonyms

Examples

  • 彼(かれ)は食(た)べすぎたような顔(かお)をしている。

    He looks like he ate too much.

  • あなたが言(い)ったように、事故(じこ)が起(お)こった。

    An accident happened just like you said.

  • １０代(だい)に戻(もど)ったように楽(たの)しかった。

    It was fun, just like being in my teens again.

  • 君(きみ)が言(い)うように綺麗(きれい)ですね。

    It is beautiful, just like you say.

  • 想像(そうぞう)できないようなアイディアが沢山(たくさん)ありました。

    I had ideas like you couldn't imagine.

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ように・ような – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (19 in total)

  • Meatdog

    Meatdog

    In the sentence" 彼かれの車くるまは工場こうじょうのような臭においがする",

    Why is it ような despite 臭い being an い-adjective?

  • IcyIceBear

    IcyIceBear

    Smell 臭い（におい） like “what’s that smell/scent? Apples?”
    Not that it’s “smelly” like 臭い（くさい）the smelly adjective.

    臭い/匂い does end withい but this is a noun. The different kanji can be used, with 臭 having a negative nuance. Although I like factory smelling cars (⁠ب⁠_⁠ب⁠)

  • Meatdog

    Meatdog

    Ah it is good to see you again, I will always remember your Shiny Umbreon PFP lol

    Thank you for the explanation, that makes perfect sense now

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