まるで

About

The まるで～よう・みたい pattern is used to create comparative "as if X" statements, where まるで adds emphasis, and a stiff, written tone.

Both verbs and nouns may come before よう・みたい in this pattern. Nouns should attach to よう using の.

よう and みたい can modify nouns with な, and verbs/adjectives with に.

E.g. まるで眠ねむっているみたいだ。 "It's as if they're sleeping."

E.g. みんな、まるで私わたしが変へんなことを言いったみたいな反応はんのうをしていた。 "Everyone reacted as if I had said something very strange."

E.g. 掃除そうじしてもらって、まるで新車しんしゃのようになった。 "We had it cleaned, and it was (lit. became) as if it was a new car."

Summary

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  The まるで～よう・みたい pattern is used to create comparative "as if X" statements

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  まるで adds emphasis, and a stiff, written tone

• 

  Both verbs and nouns may come before よう・みたい