ように / ような

The structures ような and ように are used to express similarity, comparison, or manner – meaning "like," "as," "as if," or "similar to." They are based on the noun よう (样 – appearance/manner), and the form you choose depends on what follows.

ような – before nouns

Use ような when modifying a noun. It works like a な-adjective.

When following a noun, attach の before ような: Noun + のような + Noun

When following a verb (plain form), attach ような directly: Verb[plain] + ような + Noun

ように – before verbs and adjectives

Use ように when modifying a verb, adjective, or clause. It functions as an adverb.

Similarly, Noun + のように and Verb[plain] + ように are the patterns.

Common uses

• Simile / comparison: Comparing one thing to another.

  あのやま山はふじやま富士山のようにたかい高い。

  That mountain is tall like Mt. Fuji.

• "As if" / appearance: Describing how something appears or feels.

  かれ彼はなん何もしらない知らないようにはなした話した。

  He spoke as if he didn't know anything.

• Giving examples: Meaning "such as" or "like" when listing.

  とうきょう東京やおおさか大阪のようなおおきい大きいとし都市がすき好きです。

  I like big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

ような vs. みたいな

みたいな / みたいに express the same meaning but are more **casual and colloquial**. ような / ように are appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese and sound slightly more formal.

Giving examples – "such as"

ような and ように also introduce a representative example rather than a comparison.