まるで

まるで means just like; as if. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to compare something strongly to an unreal or vivid image.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to compare something strongly to an unreal or vivid image, まるで is a useful pattern to learn.

What does まるで mean?

Use まるで when you want to compare something strongly to an unreal or vivid image.

Natural translations include:

• just like; as if
• just like
• just like / as if

How to form まるで

まるで + Nounのようだ / まるで + clause + みたいだ

Examples of the pattern:

• まるで夢のようだ
• まるで別人みたいだ
• まるで知らないかのように

When is まるで used?

Use まるで in situations like:

• explaining context clearly
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

まるで example sentences

• 今日はまるで夏のように暑い。 — Today is hot as if it were summer.
• 彼はまるで何も知らないような顔をしていた。 — He looked as if he knew nothing.
• この景色はまるで絵みたいだ。 — This scenery is just like a painting.
• 彼女の声はまるで歌のように美しい。 — Her voice is beautiful, just like a song.
• 部屋はまるでホテルのようにきれいだった。 — The room was as clean as a hotel.

Nuance of まるで

The key nuance is a practical way to express “just like; as if” with the right level of emphasis.

This matters because まるで does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with まるっきり, it has a different focus and level of formality.

まるで vs まるっきり

Both まるで and まるっきり can appear in related situations, but they are different.

まるで:

• means just like; as if
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

まるっきり:

• まるっきり means completely; まるで sets up a comparison like “as if”

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 今日はまるで夏のように暑い。 — Today is hot as if it were summer.
• Compare: Try replacing it with まるっきり and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with まるで

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using まるで with the wrong form
• Confusing まるで with まるっきり
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

Is まるで on the JLPT?

Yes. まるで is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for まるで

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using まるで.
• Contrast まるで with まるっきり.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence with a clear context.

Learning path for まるで

To learn まるで efficiently, review the formation first, then compare it with related appearance patterns before writing your own sentences.

1. First, make sure you can form まるで without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ように見える（ようにみえる）, とみえる / とみえて. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences based on what someone looks like, sounds like, or seems to feel; then check whether replacing まるで with ふりをする changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ように見える（ようにみえる） — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• とみえる / とみえて — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• ふりをする — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• そうだ — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.

Learn まるで with Hane

If you want to review まるで together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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