Uma mitaina ushi
“…mitai desu” and “…mitaina”
When something resembles or appears like another thing, you can use the phrase “…mitaidesu” to express this similarity. The word “…mitai” functions as a noun-adjective, despite its ending with an “i” sound, which is typically associated with i-adjectives in Japanese. This construction is commonly used to indicate that something seems like or has the appearance of something else. For example, if you want to say that a person looks tired, you might say “Tsukarete iru mitai desu” (It seems like they are tired).
It’s important to note that “…mitai” can be used in various contexts beyond just physical appearance. It can also convey that something appears to be the case based on observation or inference.
Kare wa shakaijin desuga, gakusei mitaidesu. = He is a working person, but seems like a student.
Gakusei mitaina shakaijin = A working person who is like a student
Kare no aisatsu wa nihonjin mitaidesu. = His greeting is like that of Japanese.
Nihonjin mitaina aisatsu = Greeting which is like Japanese do
Kono garasu wa daiyamondo mitaidesu. = This glass is like a diamond.
Daiyamondo mitaina garasu = A glass which is like a diamond
You can also combine “…mitai” with the short form of verbs to express that something is similar to doing a particular action or to indicate speculation. For instance, when you attach “…mitai” to the short form of a verb, it can convey the meaning “it is like doing…” or suggest that something appears to be happening in a certain way.
This usage of “…mitai” is closely related to the expression “…youdesu,” which also conveys speculation or inference based on observation. However, “…mitai” is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation. For example, if you see someone preparing to leave, you might say “dekakeru mitaidesu” (It looks like they’re going out), indicating your observation and inference.
Sukii o shiteiru toki wa, sora o tonde iru mitai desu. = When you are skiing, it is like flying in the sky.
Ano ie ni yuumeijin ga sunde iru mitai desu. = It seems that a famous person lives in that house.
Kare wa kaisha o yamemashita. Amerika ni itta mitai desu. = He quit his job. It seems that he went to the U.S.
“…mitaini”
“…mitai” can also function as an adverb when followed by “ni.”
When used as an adverb by adding “ni” afterward, “…mitaini” means “in a way that resembles” or “as if.” For example, if you want to say that someone is running like the wind, you might say “Kaze mitaini hashiru” (Run like the wind). Here, “…mitaini” modifies the verb “hashiru” (to run), describing the manner in which the action is performed.
Kodomo mitaini asobimasu. = I (you) play like a child.
Ano hito mitaini jiyuuna seikatsu ga shitaidesu. = Like that person, I wanna have a free life.
| Statement >>> | …mitai desu |
| Adjective >>> | …mitaina… |
| Adverb >>> | …mitaini… |
Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| umi | sea |
| uma | horse |
| mizuumi | lake |
| ushi | cow |
| tori | bird |
| tobu | fly |
| kodomo | child |
| otona | adult |
| naku | cry |
Expression
Kono mizuumi wa umi mitaidesu.
Kono uma wa ushi mitaidesu.
Mizuumi mitaina umi
Uma mitaina ushi
Suzukisan wa satousan mitaini hanashimasu.
Tori mitaini tobitaidesu.
Exercise
Questions
Translate in English.
It is like a child.
An adult like a child
Ms. Suzuki cries like a child.
Answers
- Kodomo mitaidesu.
- Kodomo mitaina otona
- Suzukisan wa kodomo mitaini nakimasu.