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

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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.

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'.

Synonyms

Examples

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    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.

    十(じゅう)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.

    驚(おどろ)くような景色(けしき)を見(み)た。

    I saw mind-blowing-like scenery.

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ように・ような – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (22 in total)

  • NathanBell_Au

    NathanBell_Au

    This lesson’s structure rules and examples are a bit misleading, it’s easy for a beginner to mis-chunk the clauses and end up using the wrong particle.

    • Verb + ように + Verb/Adjective
    • Verb + ような + Noun

    彼の車は工場のような臭いがする。 - Adverbial Clause (which should use に)
    彼の車は工場のような臭いがする - Noun (which should use な)

    バケツをひっくり返したように雨が降っている。** - Adverbial Clause (which should use に)
    バケツをひっくり返したように雨が降っている。 - Noun (which should use な)

    I think the lesson structure needs to differentiate the following:
    Adverbial Usage: X is similar to (ように) Action A.
    Adjectival Usage: X is similar to (ような ) Thing A.

  • Irwigo

    Irwigo

    Ohhhhh!!!
    Thank you so much, I was so confused! I couldn’t understand why sometimes before a noun に was used, and the opposite!
    Perhaps your explication should be added to the grammar point! (Or maybe it’s not japanese related, but grammar-in-general deficiency that I have, anyway thank you again!)

  • adaykoth

    adaykoth

    I have to say this whole grammar point is utterly confusing and should be redesigned imo.

    The usage pattern above is not found in a single example on the page, where ように is always paired with の just as in previous grammar points regarding ようだ.

    Whereas the usage pattern suggest it should come modifying a verb.

    Also as @NathanBell_Au explained very eloquently, it is also confusing at first when exactly な or に is used here.

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