1. "Like" as a comparison:
* 「みたい」 (mitai): This is the most common way to say "like" when making a comparison. It means "seem like" or "look like".
* Example: "彼は猫みたいだ" (Kare wa neko mitai da) - "He looks like a cat".
* 「～のように」 (～ no yō ni): This is a more formal way to say "like" for comparisons. It means "like" or "in the manner of".
* Example: "彼女は天使のように美しい" (Kanojo wa tenshi no yō ni utsukushī) - "She is beautiful like an angel".
2. "Like" as an example:
* 「例えば」 (Tatoeba): This means "for example" or "such as".
* Example: "例えば、リンゴやバナナ" (Tatoeba, ringo ya banana) - "For example, apples and bananas".
3. "Like" in expressions of liking:
* 「好き」 (suki): This means "to like".
* Example: "私は寿司が好きです" (Watashi wa sushi ga suki desu) - "I like sushi".
* 「～が楽しい」 (～ ga tanoshii): This means "to find something enjoyable" or "to like something".
* Example: "テニスをするのが楽しい" (Tenisu o suru no ga tanoshii) - "I like playing tennis".
4. "Like" as an expression of similarity:
* 「～に似てる」 (～ ni niteru): This means "to resemble" or "to be similar to".
* Example: "彼は父親に似てる" (Kare wa chichioya ni niteru) - "He resembles his father".
5. "Like" as a filler word:
* 「えっと」 (etto): This is similar to "like" or "um" in English, used as a filler word while thinking.
* 「あの」 (ano): This can also be used as a filler word, similar to "like" or "you know".
The best way to choose the appropriate Japanese word for "like" depends on the context and the intended meaning.