How to say "analogy" in Japanese

• 類推るいすいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe reasoning sense of 'analogy': drawing a conclusion about something by comparing it with something similar. This is the word you want for arguing or inferring by analogy.
• 類似るいじJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers resemblance or similarity between things; the 'analogy' gloss reflects this overlap. Use it when pointing out that two things are alike, not when describing analogical reasoning itself.
  この構成こうせいにおいて、三角形さんかっけいの代かわりに長方形ちょうほうけいを用もちいても類似るいじの困難こんなんが生しょうずる。↗

  We encounter similar difficulties when we substitute rectangles for triangles in this configuration.
• 類例るいれいCommon
  nounPrimarily means a similar instance, similar case, or parallel case. For plain 'analogy' it is a marginal choice; reach for it when discussing a comparable precedent or parallel example.

Use 類推 for reasoning by analogy, 類似 for the sense of similarity or resemblance, and 類例 mainly for a parallel case or similar instance rather than 'analogy' itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 類推るいすいanalogy
• 類似るいじresemblance
• 類例るいれいsimilar instance
• アナロジーanalogy
• 類比るいひanalogy
• 類似性るいじせいresemblance
• 相似そうじanalogy