Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 6/24

まるで~(よう)

It is entirely as if, It is just as though

Structure

まるで + Verb + みたい(1) +
まるで + [い]Adjective + みたい(1) +
まるで + [な]Adjective + みたい(2) +

まるで + Noun + みたい(3) +

(1) よう
(2) よう
(3) よう

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About まるで…ようだ

まるで~ようだ is an expression in Japanese that combines the adverb まるで (sometimes written as (まる)で), and combines it with a description of (A) followed by the auxiliary verb よう (with or without either or です after it). (まる)で can be translated as 'entirely', or 'completely', while the whole expression may be understood as 'it seems entirely as though (A)'.
まるで will be used at the beginning of a sentence, before the description of what (A) seems to be like.
  • このゲームはものすごくリアルまるで映画(えいが)()ているようだ
    This game is very realistic. It is as if I am watching a movie.
  • あの(ひと)(わたし)母親(ははおや)(おなじ)(とし)けど運動(うんどう)神経(しんけい)いいまるで(わか)ようだ
    That person is the same age as my mother, but is very athletic. It is as though she is young.
Instead of ようだ, other expressions of conjecture may also be used, such as みたい.
  • あの(ひと)仕事(しごと)仕方(しかた)まるで(らく)みたい
    How that person works looks as if it is super easy.
  • (かれ)(おとうと)そっくりまるで兄弟(きょうだい)みたい
    He looks very similar to my younger brother. It is as if they are siblings.
Caution
The 'as if' or 'as though' nuance of まるで~ようだ comes primarily from either ようだ, or みたいだ, with まるで simply meaning 'entirely', or 'completely' in almost all situations.
  • (きゃく)さん(はな)ときはちゃんと()()(はな)せ!()()ていないとまるでお(きゃく)さん(はなし)()いていないみたいじゃないか
    Look at the customers eyes when you talk to them! If you don't make eye contact, it is as though you are not listening to what they are saying.
  • なんだそのフォームは?まるでなってないぞ!
    What is that form? That is completely unacceptable. (Natural, but different meaning)

Examples

  • あなた(かお)まるで幽霊(ゆうれい)()ようだ

    Your face totally looks as though you saw a ghost.

  • 全部(ぜんぶ)家事(かじ)をしてくれたの?まるで天使(てんし)ようだ

    You did all the housework? You are just like an angel.

  • あの(いえ)には子供(こども)が4(にん)いるので、まるで動物園(どうぶつえん)ようだ

    Since there are four kids living in that house, it is entirely as if it were a zoo.

  • あの二人(ふたり)(なか)いいまるで兄弟(きょうだい)のようだ

    Those two really get along well. It is just as though they are siblings.

    仲がいい means 'to be on good terms' or 'to be close'.

  • (かれ)は、まるで(やま)のように()まれた(ほん)()(おどろ)いた。

    He was surprised to see books stacked just as if they were a mountain.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


  • Offline

    • Tobira

      Page 236

    • [AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese

      Page 153

    • [DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

      Page 549

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

まるで…ようだ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 3 years ago

    @CrisH @Isurandil492
    Hey

    The の should be used when connecting よう and a noun. I have changed the structure section.

    Cheers!

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    About 3 years ago

    There is also a small section about this grammar in A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar: Page 547 (as part of the ようだ grammar) under the notes section.

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 3 years ago

    @Ambo100 Thank you for letting us know! I have added the page numbers to the Reading section of this grammar point. Cheers!

Got questions about まるで…ようだ? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion