Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "As" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "as", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
まるで
まるで (marude)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜まま
〜まま (〜mama)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "as" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between まるで and 〜まま.
In Japanese, まるで (まるで (marude)) is typically associated with "as if, just like, entirely" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Often used with 「～のように」 or 「～みたいに」 to express a strong resemblance or a comparison. Can also be used with negative forms like 「まるで～ない」 to mean 'not at all'..
On the other hand, 〜まま (〜まま (〜mama)) maps to "as it is, without changing, in the state of" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates that something remains in its current state or condition. Used with nouns. A literal translation of "as" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "まるで"
彼女はまるでプロの歌手のように歌う。
She sings as if she were a professional singer.
Bilingual Context for "〜まま"
電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。
I fell asleep with the lights on.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女は ＿＿＿ プロの歌手のように歌う。" (Meaning: "She sings as if she were a professional singer.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "まるで" fits here because it means "as if, just like, entirely" in the context of: "She sings as if she were a professional singer.". "〜まま" represents "as it is, without changing, in the state of".