まるで・丸でmarude[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. adverbas if; as though; just like; much as; exactly like; as it wereusu. followed by a form of ようだ or みたいだ
    まるで夢ゆめを見みているようだよ。↗
    I feel as if I were dreaming.
  2. adverb(not) at all; (not) in the slightest; (not) a bitwith neg. sentence
    ぼくにはまるでその理由りゆうがわからない。↗
    I have no idea why it is so.
  3. adverbreally; completely; entirely; wholly; truly; quite
    He treats me as if I am a stranger.
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymあたかもWrittenWritten style for 'as if, just like', often pairing with 「ようだ」 or 「ごとく」; 「まるで」 is the more colloquial choice.
  • RelatedまったくNeutralTakes a negation to mean 'not at all', and can also be an exclamation like 'good grief'; 「まるで」 additionally has the simile sense 'just like…'.
  • RelatedまるっきりCasualColloquial; with a negation it stresses 'not at all', as in 「まるっきり分からない」; it has no simile use.
  • RelatedいわばNeutralMeans 'so to speak' — putting it another way; 「まるで」 usually pairs with 「ようだ」.
  • Related全然ぜんぜんCasualColloquial; usually takes a negation to mean 'not at all'; 「まるで」 can also be used in similes.
  • RelatedまるきりCasualColloquial and synonymous with 「まるっきり」, meaning 'completely'; no simile use.
  • Related言うなればいうなればWrittenWritten style; means 'in other words, so to speak'; it only overlaps with 「まるで」 in the figurative sense.

Use 「まるで」 for 'just like, as if' comparisons; in written prose prefer 「あたかも」. For 'not at all' with a negation, use 「全く」, 「全然」 or 「まるっきり」; to say 'so to speak', use 「言わば」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 主おもに否定的ひていてきな内容ないようの語句ごくを後あとに続つづけて。全まったく。すっかり。全面的ぜんめんてきに。徹底的てっていてきに。
  2. 比喩ひゆや類似るいじの表現ひょうげんとして。全まったく。すっかり。あたかも。さながら。
  3. 助動詞じょどうし「ようだ」「ごとし」「みたいだ」などを伴ともなった比喩ひゆ表現ひょうげんの句くを後あとに続つづけて。
  4. 似にていることを意味いみする用言ようげんを後あとに続つづけて。
  5. (断定だんてい表現ひょうげんを後あとに続つづけて)とても似にているさま。
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android