とおなじで・とちがって
Like, Similar to, Unlike, Dissimilar to
Structure
Noun + と + 違って
Explanation
Two common Japanese expressions for highlighting similarities and differences are と同じで, 'just like (A)', and と違って, 'unlike (A)'. Although both patterns mark (A) with the case marking particle と, there is a key grammatical difference. 同じ is a noun, whereas 違って is the て form of the う-verb, 違う. For this reason, 同じ must be followed by the auxiliary verb だ in its conjunctive form (で) to connect part (A) with part (B) of the sentence.
Both と同じで and と違って follow a noun or noun phrase. The second half of the sentence, (B), will then elaborate on this point of similarity or dissimilarity.
- 父は私と同じで、料理が下手です。Just like me, my father is bad at cooking.
- 姉も私と同じで、音楽を聴くのが好きです。Just like me, my older sister enjoys listening to music.
- 私は妹と違って、野菜が好きです。Unlike my younger sister, I like vegetables.
- 彼は私と違って、早起きが苦手です。Unlike me, he has trouble waking up early.
In this grammar pattern, the て from 違って functions as a conjunction particle, similar to the role of で (the conjunctive form of だ). Both expressions work to state that (B) is occurring in a condition of being 'the same as' or 'different from' (A).
Examples
兄と同じで、僕も背が高い。
Like my older brother, I'm tall.
都会と違って、田舎は静かだ。
Unlike the city, the countryside is quiet.
予想と違って、テストは簡単だった。
Contrary to my expectations, the test was easy.
静かな姉と違って、弟はとても元気です。
Unlike his quiet older sister, the younger brother is very energetic.
去年と同じで、今年の夏もとても暑い。
Just like last year, this summer is also very hot.
いつもと同じで、あのラーメン屋は満席だった。
As usual, that ramen shop was completely full.
猫と同じで、犬も愛情が必要です。
Like cats, dogs also need affection.
絵と同じで、山頂からの景色は美しかった。
Like a picture, the view from the mountaintop was beautiful.
彼女も私と同じで、甘いものが大好きだ。
She, like me, loves sweet things.
写真と違って、実物の方がずっとハンサムだ。
Unlike in his photo, he is much more handsome in person.
映画と違って、原作の本はあまり面白くない。
Unlike the movie, the original book isn't very interesting.
日本と違って、アメリカでは銃を持つことができる。
Unlike in Japan, you can own a gun in America.