Structure
Verb + かのようだ(1)
［い］Adjective + かのようだ(1)
［な］Adjective + である + かのようだ(1)
Noun + である + かのようだ(1)
(1) かのように + Phrase、かのような + Noun
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About かのようだ
かのようだ is a set phrase in Japanese indicating that something 'appears to be (A)', but the speaker is not certain. It will be translated as 'as if (A)', or 'just like (A)'. This is a combination of the adverbial particle か, の and the auxiliary verb 様だ 'appearing to be'. The more literal meaning can be thought of as 'is it not like (A)?', due to the uncertainty expressed by か.
かのようだ may follow verbs and い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives and nouns followed by である.
When ようだ is altering the meaning of a verb or a noun later in the sentence, ように or ような may also be used.
This grammar construction will often be seen with expressions that emphasize the speaker's assumption about (A), such as まるで. If compared to English, this merely strengthens the sentence in a similar way to the difference between 'it's as if (A)', and 'it's just as if (A)'.
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Examples
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その作品は、あの有名な作品を真似たかのようですね。
That item looks as if it is imitating that other famous item.
彼はまるでお腹に風船を入れているかのようだ。
It is just as if he has a balloon in his belly.
あの会社は営業中も休業しているかのようだ。
That company looks as if they are closed even during operation hours.
彼は相当目がいい。望遠鏡を使っているかのようだ。
He has extremely good eyesight. It is as if he is using a telescope.
あのシャツの色と柄じゃあ、包帯をしているかのようですね。
That shirt's color and patterns makes it look as if you are wearing a bandage.
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JapaneseTest4You
All uses of volitional form and よう explained
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新完全マスター文法、N3
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