One of the most common ways to convey that something is ‘like’ something else in casual conversation, is through the use of
そんな,
こんな,
あんな, or
どんな (when asking a question). These are not officially words themselves, but are abbreviations that come from
そのような,
このような,
あのような, and
どのような.
To use this casual expression, simply say it directly before the noun that you are describing, or enquiring about.
-
そんな言(い)い方(かた)してはいけません。
You should not phrase it like that.
-
こんな高(たか)いものはもらえないよ。
I can’t accept a gift this expensive.
-
あんな大人(おとな)にはなりたくない。
I don’t want to become an adult like that.
-
どんな靴(くつ)が欲(ほ)しい?
What kind of shoes do you want?
Because these abbreviations originally come from a longer (more formal) variation, that form may also be used in situations where you would like to sound a little bit more polite.
-
そのような商品(しょうひん)はないです。
We don’t have a product like that.
-
このような場合(ばあい)にはどうすればいいですか。
What should we do in a situation like this?
-
あのような運転(うんてん)をしないでください。
Please do not drive like that.
-
どのような商品(しょうひん)をお探(さが)しですか?
What kind of product are you looking for?