まるで～様だ
It is entirely as if, It is just as though
Structure
まるで + ［い］Adjective + みたい(1) + だ
まるで + ［な］Adjective + みたい(2) + だ
まるで + Noun + みたい(3) + だ
(1) よう
(2) なよう
(3) のよう
Explanation
The expression まるで～ようだ is formed by pairing the adverb まるで (which can also be written in kanji as 丸で) with a description of (A), followed by the auxiliary verb よう. This is often completed with だ or です. While 丸で by itself means 'completely' or 'entirely', the full grammar structure conveys the meaning 'it's completely as if (A) is true'.
まるで is typically placed at the start of the clause, before the thing that is being compared.
- あのロボットはなめらかに動く。まるで人間のようだ。That robot moves so smoothly. It's just like a real person.
- 私の部屋はピカピカになった。まるで新品のようだ。My room is sparkling clean now. It is as if it's brand new.
In place of ようだ, it is also common to use other expressions of similarity or appearance, such as みたい.
- その絵はとても細かい。まるで写真みたいだ。That painting is incredibly detailed. It looks just like a photograph.
- まだ春なのに今日は暑い。まるで夏みたいだ。Even though it's still spring, it's so hot today. It feels just like summer.
Caution
The nuance of 'as if' or 'as though' in this pattern comes mainly from ようだ or みたいだ. まるで functions as an intensifier, adding the feeling of 'completely' or 'entirely' to the comparison.
- そんなに静かにしないで！まるでここにいないみたいじゃないか。Don't be so quiet! It's as if you're not even here.
- なんだこのレポートは？まるで役に立たないぞ！What is this report? It's completely useless.
Examples
この景色はまるで絵葉書のようだ。
This scenery is just like a picture postcard.
彼の部屋は、まるで災害の跡のようだ。
His room is just like a disaster area.
どうしたの？まるで三日間寝ていないような顔だよ。
What's wrong? You look just as though you haven't slept for three days.
息子はまるで掃除機のようにごはんを食べる。
My son eats his meals just as if he were a vacuum cleaner.
この街は十年で大きく変わった。まるで別の場所に来たようだ。
This town has changed so much in ten years. It's just as though I've come to a completely different place.
プールの水はまるで氷のようだった。
The water in the pool was just like ice.
彼女の歌声はまるで 楽器のように美しい。
Her singing voice is beautiful, just as if it were a musical instrument.
彼は自分の猫を、まるで人間みたいに扱う。
He treats his cat just as if it were a person.
この肉はまるで石のように硬い。
This meat is tough, just as if it were a rock.
夏なのに雪が降ってきた。まるで冬に戻ったみたいだ！
Even though it's summer, it started snowing. It's entirely as if we've gone back to winter!
あの店のケーキは大きくて、まるで芸術作品のようだ。
The cakes at that shop are huge, and it's entirely as if they are works of art.
ケンジは何でも知っている。まるで歩く辞書のようだ。
彼に聞けば、どんな質問にも答えてくれる。
Kenji knows everything. It's just as though he's a walking dictionary.
If you ask him, he can answer any question.