Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 4: 4/18

の様(よう)にLike (Noun), Similar to (Noun)

This is a version using nouns, みたい(に・な)→appearance of, のよう(に・な)→in the manner of

Structure

Noun + のように + Verb(1)
Noun + のような + Noun

(1) Adverb、［い］Adjective、［な］Adjective

Details

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    Standard

About のように・のような

The auxiliary verb ようだ is used for making observations. It states that something is 'in the manner/way of (A)'. Like the auxiliary verb そうだ, ようだ may be used in a similar way to な-Adjectives (can be followed by な when acting as an adjective, or に when acting as an adverb). の is required before these constructions when it is describing a noun.

Because よう (coming from the kanji 様(よう)) usually expresses the 'manner' in which something is existing/happening, it is regularly used when the speaker has direct personal experience from which they are drawing a comparison. This means that よう will sound far more confident than みたい, or そう.

Fun Fact

When ようだ is describing another word (in its ような, or ように form), this is known as 'presenting an example' (例示(れいじ) in Japanese), and means that '(A) is an example of (B)'.

Related

Examples

--:--

    スープのようなカレー。

    Soup-like curry.

    そのように使(つか)ってはいけない。

    You cannot use it like that. (in that way)

    そのようにお箸(はし)を使(つか)わないで下さい。

    Please don't use chopsticks like that. (In that way)

    このような洋服(ようふく)を探(さが)しています。

    I am looking for some clothes like these.

    お箸(はし)はこのように使(つか)います。

    Chopsticks are used like this.

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のように・のような – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (13 in total)

  • Jake

    Jake

    like (noun), similar to (noun)

    Structure

    • Noun + のように
    • Noun + のような
    • のように modifies the VERB、 ADVERB or ADJECTIVE that follows
    • のような modifies the NOUN that follows

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  • jessemalkin

    jessemalkin

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Hey

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    As the grammar structure section indicate, it seems to say that のように and のような both modify what follows afterwards.

    Is it not also possible to use these to end a sentence? For example, I found these subtitles for a Netflix show (along with the English translation).

    はるか昔のことのようだ
    Seems a long time ago.

    I wonder if this should be included in the structure section, or is this a seperate grammar point?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Hey

    There is a separate grammar point: ようだ

    〇ように functions as an adverb, 〇ような as adjective and 〇ようだ as a predicate

  • CrisH

    CrisH

    Okay, I got into a thread of threads reading about ように and ような, but, I think this is the right grammar topic for this…

  • LunchboxSpec

    LunchboxSpec

    I believe I have found an entry for this in “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar” on page 554. Shown in Key Sentence C.

  • atticusd

    atticusd

    Slightly off-topic, but the お箸はこ part of お箸はこの ように 使います is confusing me. Do you mean お箸はこ in like chopstick box, or is it like o-hashi wa kono… I cannot make sense out of any of them.

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    お箸は (chopsticks) この (this) ように (like) 使います (use)
    -> About chopsticks, you use them like this.

    Unfortunately chopstick cases get rendaku (はしばこ), otherwise this would be more entertaining (use me like your chopstick case?!)

  • atticusd

    atticusd

    Thanks a lot for the explanation. I am not sure how I got so confused. “Use me like your chopstick case” could be a song on a David Lynch album, hehe.

  • thirdtimesthecharm

    thirdtimesthecharm

    I’m confused by お箸はしはこの__使つかいます. Why isn’t the answer そういう?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    @thirdtimesthecharm
    Hey

    そういう doesn’t fit here because it is so-called prenoun-adjective, in other words, it can be only used before nouns to modify them. So, if verbs or adjectives follow - そういう cannot be used.

    In this case we have verb 使います that follows the input field, so そういう cannot be used.

    I hope it helps,
    Cheers!

  • Baves

    Baves

    Hey there

    ハムスターの ように 口に食べ物を入れた

    Why exactly do we use the に-particle in this case, when 口 is a noun. I’d use な instead.

  • gyroninja

    gyroninja

    ハムスターの ように 口に食べ物を入れた

    I stuffed food in my mouth similar to a hamster.

    ハムスターの ような 口に食べ物を入れた

    I stuffed food in my hamster like mouth

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