あの ガキ、いつも こそこそ してる。ネズミ みたいに さ。
あの がき、 いつも こそこそ してる。 ねずみ みたいに さ。
ano gaki, itsumo kosokoso shiteru. nezumi mitai ni sa.
That kid is always sneaking around. Like a rat.
This ~みたいに is a bit of a tricky bugger. It means ‘like’ or ‘similar to.’ But it’s not just a simple comparison. It’s about a simile, a likeness. It’s like saying someone or something acts or looks like something else, but it’s not the real deal. It’s more of an observation, like saying “that guy looks like a cop.” You’re not saying he is one, just that he’s got the look. You might use this when you’re making an observation, giving an example, or just trying to explain something in a simple way. It’s a handy tool for us fellas on the street, you know?
This ain’t rocket science, mate. It’s easy as snagging a ciggie from a mate. Have a squiz at this table, it’ll show you how to whack ~みたいに onto the end of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
| Word Type | Japanese | Hiragana | English |
| Noun | 警察官みたいに | けいさつかん みたいに | Like a police officer |
| Verb | 走るみたいに | はしる みたいに | As if running |
| い-adjective | 強いみたいに | つよい みたいに | Like it’s strong |
| な-adjective | 静かみたいに | しずか みたいに | Like it’s quiet |
Alright, now listen. You just slap ~みたいに right after the word. No weird endings, no funny business. It’s dead simple. If you want to say something’s like a noun, you just chuck it on the end. Same with verbs and adjectives. Easy as that.
Think of ~みたいに like a disguise. You know, like when a bloke puts on a dodgy wig and a fake mustache to look like someone else. He’s not really that person, but he’s got the look. ~みたいに works the same way. It gives a word or phrase the appearance of something else, without it actually being the real thing. It’s a bit of a show, a bit of an act.
Here’s some new vocab you might find handy.
犯罪者は (はんざいしゃは)
English: Criminal, crook, villain.
Bloke’s no good, right? Could be a petty thief or a kingpin callin’ the shots from a penthouse. The kind of bloke who lives by his own rules, outside the law. He’s the one you gotta watch your back for, the one who’s always lookin’ for an angle, a way to make some quick cash, no matter who gets hurt.
狡猾 (こうかつ)
English: Cunning; sly; crafty.
This is when a bloke’s not just tough, he’s clever. He’s got a head for the game, knows how to pull the wool over people’s eyes. He ain’t gonna just bash his way through; he’s gonna out-think ya, set ya up, and leave ya wonderin’ how you ever got played. It’s the difference between a loudmouth and a real schemer.
悪党 (あっとう)
English: Villain; scoundrel; bad guy.
This word ain’t just for a minor derro; it’s for a proper bastard, a low-down dog. The kind of bloke who’s a menace, a real problem for everyone. He’s the one who’s known for doin’ dirty deeds, causin’ chaos, and not givin’ a rat’s arse about anyone but himself.
獣 (けもの)
English: Beast; brute; animal.
When a bloke acts like this, he’s lost all his humanity. He’s a savage, pure instinct and rage. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t think, just reacts with violence. You see this kinda bloke in a brawl, tearin’ through everything, nothin’ but a wild animal on the loose. He’s got no control, and that makes him dangerous.
潰してやる (つぶしてやる)
English: To crush someone; to destroy.
This ain’t a threat to just beat someone up; it’s a promise to wipe them out completely. It’s what you say when you’re gonna end someone’s operation, ruin their life, or put ’em out of the picture for good. It’s a statement of total dominance, sayin’ you’re gonna stomp ’em into the dirt until there’s nothin’ left. You don’t just win; you annihilate.
Here’s a few sentences to help you get the hang of it. Some are just a bit of a laugh, and some are more serious.
あの チンピラ、 ゴキブリ みたいに すぐに 出てきたぜ。
あの ちんぴら、 ごきぶり みたいに すぐに でてきたぜ。
That punk showed up right away, like a cockroach.
昨日の 喧嘩は 映画 みたいに 派手だったな。
きのうの けんかは えいが みたいに はでだったな。
Yesterday’s fight was flashy, like a movie.
ここの 飯は 母親が 作った みたいに うまいんだよ。
ここの めしは ははおやが つくった みたいに うまいんだよ。
The food here is delicious, like my mum made it.
新しい メンバーは 子犬 みたいに 大人しくて、可愛い奴だ。
あたらしい めんばーは こいぬ みたいに おとなしくて、 かわいい やつだ。
The new member is quiet like a puppy, he’s a cute bloke.
こんな 小さい 犯罪は 遊び みたいに 簡単だぜ。
こんな ちいさい はんざいは あそび みたいに かんたんだぜ。
This small crime is easy like playing a game.
あの 裏切り者は、蛇 みたいに 冷たくて 狡猾だ。
あの うらぎりものは、 へび みたいに つめたくて こうかつだ。
That traitor is cold and cunning like a snake.
あの 悪党は 何食わぬ 顔で、天使 みたいに 振る舞ってる。
あの あくとうは なに くわぬ かおで、 てんし みたいに ふるまってる。
That villain acts like an angel, with an innocent face.
あの 犯罪者は 獣 みたいに 凶暴で、手がつけられない。
あの はんざいしゃは けだもの みたいに きょうぼうで、 てがつけられない。
That criminal is violent like a beast, he’s uncontrollable.
新しい 奴は 氷 みたいに 冷たい 目をしてる。
あたらしい やつは こおり みたいに つめたい めをしてる。
The new guy has eyes as cold as ice.
裏切り者は 虫 みたいに 潰して やる。
うらぎりものは むし みたいに つぶして やる。
I’ll squash the traitor like a bug.
Right, that’s the lesson. Don’t go acting the goat now. Remember this stuff, it might just save your arse one day.
Keep it real.
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