Q: How to express similarity with よう?

There are 4 structures: Noun + のように + Verb Noun + のような + Noun/Adj Verb (Casual) + ように + Verb Verb (Casual) + ような + Noun/Adj These constructs are used to describe likeness in Japanese. With these, you can form sentences like, “I can run like Usain Bolt,” or, “I sleep like a monkey.” With this construct, you would put the words in the opposite order to English. Let’s look at an example: “I can run like Usain Bolt.” To make this Japanese, we would put Usain Bolt before the のように, and the verb after. So, we would end up with: ウサイン・ボルトの よう に走ることができます。 This is used more in formal speech than the following みたい form but isn’t necessarily formal in itself.

Q: How to make suggestions in Japanese?

た方がいい (ta hou ga ii) is probably the most commonly used way to express “ you should ” in Japanese. Add た方がいい to the past-tenseた form of the verb that you’re suggesting should be done. Example: 早く寝たほうがいいですよ 。(hayaku neta hou ga ii desu yo) You should go to bed early. — ばいいですか (ba ii desu ka) is used to ask for suggestion. You have to make the ば ba form of the verb first, and then throw on the rest. Example: どの映画を見ればいいですか？ (dono eiga o mireba ii desu ka?) Which movie should I watch? -- Check out the full lesson on suggestions in Japanese here.

Q: Can I learn Japanese online with LTL?

Absolutely! We offer online Japanese lessons on our Flexi Classes platform. Choose your level, study topic and study time, and you’re good to go! Check out our 7 Day Free Trial to start your learning journey.

Q: Can I learn Japanese in Japan with LTL?

We offer group and individual classes in Tokyo , for the duration of your choice. You can even stay with a homestay family to really immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and discover a Japanese’s family lifestyle.

Question 1

How to express similarity with よう?

Accepted Answer

There are 4 structures:

Noun + のように + Verb
Noun + のような + Noun/Adj

Verb (Casual) + ように + Verb
Verb (Casual) + ような + Noun/Adj

These constructs are used to describe likeness in Japanese. With these, you can form sentences like, “I can run like Usain Bolt,” or, “I sleep like a monkey.” With this construct, you would put the words in the opposite order to English.

Let’s look at an example:

“I can run like Usain Bolt.”

To make this Japanese, we would put Usain Bolt before the のように, and the verb after.

So, we would end up with:

ウサイン・ボルトのように走ることができます。

This is used more in formal speech than the following みたい form but isn’t necessarily formal in itself.

Question 2

How to express similarity with みたい?

Accepted Answer

This is another form that we can use to express likeness. This is very commonly used in conversations and is much less formal than ようだ.

みたい is used when what is said is based on direct and reliable information.

The structures of this grammar point are:

Verb (casual)/Noun + みたいに + Verb
Verb (casual)/Noun + みたいな+ Noun

If it’s at the end of a sentence, you’d add だ because みたい conjugates as a noun or な–adjective.

彼女は天使みたいに歌う。She sings like an angel.

Question 3

How to express similarity with っぽい?

Accepted Answer

This is a very casual way to express similarity.

いadjective or noun

When used with an い adjective or noun it is similar to -ish, -ly, or -like.

For example, if you wanted to say “oily” in Japanese you’d say 油っぽい (literally: like oil). When it is added to anい adjective, it actually forms a new い adjective.

NOTE || Be aware that you can’t use っぽい with every い adjective. To play it safe, don’t try to use っぽい with adjectives of emotions like 嬉しい (happy).

Verb

When used with a verb the meaning is more in line with “easy to ___” or “often ___”.

For example, if you want to say, “I always forget,” you would say 忘れっぽい.

Verb / Noun / い adjective +っぽい

Using っぽい implies that the thing that you add っぽい to is in excess of what is expected, and therefore has a slightly negative connotation.

油っぽい食事は大嫌いです。I hate oily food.

Question 4

How to make suggestions in Japanese?

Accepted Answer

た方がいい (ta hou ga ii) is probably the most commonly used way to express “you should” in Japanese.

Add た方がいい to the past-tenseた form of the verb that you’re suggesting should be done.

Example:

早く寝たほうがいいですよ。(hayaku neta hou ga ii desu yo) You should go to bed early.

—

ばいいですか (ba ii desu ka) is used to ask for suggestion.

You have to make the ば ba form of the verb first, and then throw on the rest.

Example:

どの映画を見ればいいですか？(dono eiga o mireba ii desu ka?) Which movie should I watch?

--

Check out the full lesson on suggestions in Japanese here.

Question 5

Can I learn Japanese online with LTL?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We offer online Japanese lessons on our Flexi Classes platform.

Choose your level, study topic and study time, and you’re good to go!

Check out our 7 Day Free Trial to start your learning journey.

Question 6

Can I learn Japanese in Japan with LTL?

Accepted Answer

We offer group and individual classes in Tokyo, for the duration of your choice.

You can even stay with a homestay family to really immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and discover a Japanese’s family lifestyle.

Grammar Point	Pattern	Example
Expressing similarity in Japanese	Noun + のように + Verb	彼女は日本人のように話す。
Expressing have to, must in Japanese	Verb in て form + は + だめ	食べてはだめ
Expressing 'for now' in Japanese	今のところ + Sentence	今のところ、天気は良いです。
Expressing after all & in the end in Japanese	結局 + Sentence	結局、彼女と別れてしまった。
Expressing when in Japanese	Verb / Adjective / Noun (+ の) + 時に	私は暇な時に映画を見ます。
Expressing certainty in Japanese	Verb / Nouns / Adjectives + だろう	この店の料理は美味しいだろう。
Expressing only in Japanese	Verb / Adjective / Noun + だけ	一回だけ行きました
Expressing in order to in Japanese	Purpose/Goal/Person Benefiting + のために + Verb	彼は新しい仕事に備えるのために勉強しています。
Expressing as soon as in Japanese	Verb + が早いか	彼は試合が始まるが早いか、ホームランを打った。

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