How to say "likeness" in Japanese

• 類似るいじJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThis is the word for 'likeness' as an abstract quality: the resemblance or similarity between two or more things. Its range also includes 'analogy', so it fits comparisons drawn between similar cases.
  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.
• 肖像しょうぞうCommon
  nounHere 'likeness' means a portrait: a picture of a particular person. Choose it when English 'likeness' refers to an actual image of someone, not to abstract resemblance.
  この切手きってには誰だれの肖像しょうぞうが印刷いんさつしてありますか。↗

  Whose image is on this stamp?
• 相似そうじCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAnother abstract noun for 'resemblance' or 'similitude', close in meaning to 類似; for likeness between two things either will often do, though 相似 tends to suggest likeness of shape or appearance.
• 似顔にがおCommon
  nounCovers 'likeness' of a face: a face that looks like a particular person's. For a picture or sketch of such a face, use 似顔絵.
• 似顔絵にがおえCommon
  nounA drawn or sketched picture of a person's face, made to capture their appearance — 'likeness' in the concrete sense of a facial portrait or sketch.

For abstract resemblance between things choose 類似 or 相似; for a portrait or picture of a person choose 肖像; for a sketch of a face choose 似顔絵, with 似顔 for a face that resembles someone's.

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

• 類似るいじresemblance
• 肖像しょうぞうportrait
• 相似そうじresemblance
• 似顔にがおportrait
• 似顔絵にがおえportrait
• 似姿にすがたeffigy
• 風ふうappearance