風に
~ way, In a way that suggests, Like ~
Structure
Verb + ふうに + Phrase
Verb + ふう + ではない
(1) そんな、あんな、どんな
Explanation
風, which means 'style' or 'manner' and is usually written in kana, is a suffix that indicates something has the appearance or way of being of the word it follows.
When attached to a verb, ふう functions like a な-Adjective. Consequently, it requires the particle に when used as an adverb to modify an action, expressing that something is done 'in the manner of (A)'.
- 彼女は分かっているふうにうなずいていたが、本当は何も理解していなかった。She nodded as if she understood, but she actually didn't get any of it.
- 田中さんは何も知らないふうにしていたけど、本当は全部知っていたんだ。Tanaka-san acted like he didn't know anything, but he actually knew the whole story.
Additionally, ふうに is frequently paired with demonstrative words like こんな, そんな, and あんな. This construction is used to describe something being done 'in this way', 'in that manner', and so on.
- こんなふうに野菜を切ると、料理がもっとおいしくなりますよ。If you cut the vegetables this way, the dish will be even more delicious.
- そんなふうに言われると、傷つきます。It hurts when you say it like that.
- 私もいつか、あんなふうにピアノが弾けるようになりたいです。I want to be able to play the piano like that someday.
Fun-fact
To help you remember, you can connect ふう to its kanji, 風 ('wind'). Think of it as being similar to the English expression 'having an air of something'. Just remember that this is only a memory aid, as the meanings are not a perfect match.
Examples
私もこんなふうに絵が描けたらいいなあ。
I wish I could draw pictures like this too.
この料理はどんなふうに作ればいいですか。
How should I make this dish?
どうすればあんなふうに速く走れるんだろう。
I wonder how I could run as fast as that.
彼はいつも人の悪口を言う。私はそんなふうにはなりたくない。
He always speaks ill of others. I don't want to become that kind of person.
彼は平気なふうに振舞っているが、本当は悲しいはずだ。
He is acting as if he's fine, but he must actually be sad.
あの様子では、試験に合格したいふうには見えない。
From the way he's acting, it doesn't look like he wants to pass the exam.
彼は興味があるふうではなかったが、後で詳しい質問をしてきた。
He didn't act like he was interested, but later he asked detailed questions.
彼女は何も考えていないふうに見えるが、実はすごく頭がいい。
She looks as if she isn't thinking about anything, but she's actually incredibly smart.
寝たふうにしていたが、お母さんにはすぐにバレた。
I was acting like I was asleep, but my mom knew immediately.
忙しいふうにしているが、本当は暇そうだ。
He acts like he is busy, but he actually seems to be free.
簡単に壊れそうなふうに見えるおもちゃだが、意外と丈夫だ。
This toy looks like it would break easily, but it's surprisingly durable.
分かっていないのに、全部理解しているふうに装うのはよくない。
It's not good to pretend like you understand everything when you really don't.