How to Say ‘Like a child’ in Japanese
子どものように
kodomo no you ni
[kodomo no you ni]
💬 Usage Tip: [子ども] + [のように] makes “like a child.” This pattern is easy to reuse: [先生のように] “like a teacher,” [家族のように] “like family.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Comparisons with [のように] often sound gentle and expressive, which suits Japanese storytelling and reflective speech well.
Phrase Breakdown
子ども
kodomo
[kodomo]
child
A noun meaning child. In this phrase it sets up the comparison 'like a child'.
子どもの心があります。
There is a child's heart / childlike heart.
のように
no you ni
like; as if; in the manner of
Indicates similarity: “like a child.”
鳥のように飛びたい。
I want to fly like a bird.
Words in this phrase
の
no
[no]
of / 's
Connects 子ども with ように to form 'like a child'.
子どもの本です。
It is a child's book.
よう
you
[you]
like / seeming
Shows resemblance or likeness. In 子どものように, it means 'like a child'.
天使のようです。
She is like an angel.
に
ni
[ni]
in / as
Marks manner. Together with よう, it makes the phrase 'in the way of / like'.
子どものように笑います。
He smiles like a child.
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