Japanese word

似る

Pronunciation

Romajiniru

Meaning

  • verblook like

Example

私は母に似ています。watashi wa haha ni ni te i ma su

I look like my mother.

Illustration for 似る (look like)

More examples

兄は父に似ています。ani wa chichi ni ni te i ma su

My older brother looks like my father.

この二つの絵は色が似ています。ko no futa tsu no e wa iro ga ni te i ma su

The colors in these two pictures look alike.

Core concept

Describes one person or thing as sharing noticeable features with another in appearance, nature, or behavior.

Common phrases

  • 母に似るhaha ni ni ru

    look like one's mother

Similar words

似通うnikayou: To be closely alike in appearance, nature, or behavior.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の外見や性質などが他の人や物と同じようである。hito ya mono no gai ken ya sei shitsu na do ga hoka no hito ya mono to ona ji yō de a ru

Word origin

似る (niru, "to resemble") is a native Japanese verb attested in the older form にる (niru, "to resemble"); no secure further etymology is known.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English look like, 似る (niru) can describe resemblance in a person's voice, behavior, or personality as well as appearance.

Other meanings

  • resembleverb
  • take afterverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 似せるniserumake look likeverb

Word lists with this word