Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 7: 20/21

かの(よう)As if, Just like

Structure

Verb + よう(1)
[い]Adjective + よう(1)
[な]Adjective + である + よう(1)
Noun + である + よう(1)

(1) ように + Phrase、ような + Noun

Details

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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 (よう)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)'.

Examples

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    その作品(さくひん)は、あの有名(ゆうめい)作品(さくひん)真似(まね)かのようですね。

    That item looks as if it is imitating that other famous item.

    (かれ)はまるでお(なか)風船(ふうせん)()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(かいしゃ)営業(えいぎょう)(ちゅう)休業(きゅうぎょう)しているかのようだ

    That company looks as if they are closed even during operation hours.

    (かれ)相当(そうとう)()がいい。望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう)使(つか)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(いろ)(がら)じゃあ、包帯(ほうたい)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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