JLPT N4 Grammar – Difference between”〜みたいな” and “〜みたいに”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between”〜みたいな” and “〜みたいに”
2. 〜みたい
3. 〜みたいな
4. 〜みたいに
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: I don’t understand when to use “みたいな” and when to use “みたいに.”

A: “〜みたいな” and “〜みたいに” are expressions used to describe something similar to a certain state or situation.
While the meaning of “みたい” itself remains the same, you need to change it to “〜みたいな” or “〜みたいに” depending on the sentence that follows.

〜みたい (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
① Metaphorically express a certain state or situation
② Give a specific or representative example

[Rules]
Verb Plain form / Noun＋みたいに＋Verb sentence
Verb Plain form / Noun＋みたいに＋い adjective / な adjective
Verb Plain form / Noun＋みたいな＋Noun

[Examples]
春はるなのに冬ふゆが来きたみたいな寒さむさです。
It feels like winter even though it’s spring.

わたしもゆみさんみたいな優やさしい人ひとになりたいです。
I want to be a kind person like Yumi.

お城しろみたいに大おおきい家いえですね。　　　
That’s a house as big as a castle.

マリアさんはモデルみたいにきれいな人ひとです。
Maria is as beautiful as a model.

〜みたいな (JLPT N4)

When using “〜な,” it must always be followed by a noun.

[Examples]
社長しゃちょうの家いえは大おおきくて城しろみたいな家いえです。
The president’s house is as big as a castle.

マリアさんはモデルみたいなうつくしさです。
Maria has the beauty of a model.

この服ふくを着きると王おう様さまになったみたいな気持きもちになります。
Wearing this outfit makes me feel like I’ve become a king.

〜みたいに (JLPT N4)

When using “〜に,” it is followed by a verb or adjective sentence.

[Verb sentence]

[Examples]
夫おっとは子供こどもみたいに笑わらっています。
My husband is laughing like a child.

悔くやしくて子供こどもみたいに泣なきました。
I cried like a child out of frustration.

この間あいだも言いったのに、彼かれは初はじめて聞きいたみたいに驚おどろいています。
Even though I said it before, he is surprised as if he heard it for the first time.

⇒ In each of these, a verb sentence is used afterward.

[Adjective sentence]

[Examples]
この家いえは城しろみたいに大おおきいです。
This house is as big as a castle.

マリアさんはモデルみたいにきれいです。
Maria looks as beautiful as a model.

木村きむらさんはプロみたいにピアノが上手じょうずです。
Mr. Kimura plays the piano as skillfully as a professional.

⇒ In each of these, an adjective is used afterward.

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In sentences like the following, it may seem like a noun is used afterward, but be careful as the part of speech of the word immediately following takes precedence.

[Examples]　
城しろみたいに大おおきい家いえですね。
That’s a house as big as a castle, isn’t it?

モデルみたいにきれいな人ひとですね。
She’s as beautiful as a model.

パソコンみたいに便利べんりなものを作つくりたいです。
I want to make something as convenient as a computer.

⇒ The blue text is a noun, but since it is preceded by an adjective, you must use “〜みたいに.”

Summary

〜みたいな

• Use a noun after “みたいな.”

〜みたいに

• Use a verb sentence or an adjective after “みたいに.”
• It is also used with nouns modified by adjectives.

Quiz

Is the verb used in the following sentence an intransitive or a transitive verb?

Click on the question to check the answer.

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