似る

• Reading: にる
• Romaji: niru
• Kanji breakdown: 似 (ji/ni) — resemble, similar
• Pronunciation: /ni.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To resemble; to be similar; to look alike.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb most commonly used in the て-form: 似ている (to be similar/alike). Often used to compare people's appearances or things that share characteristics. 似ている is the state; 似てくる means becoming more similar.

Examples

1. この子はお母さんに似ている。 This child looks like her mother.
2. 双子だから顔がよく似ている。 They're twins, so their faces look very similar.
3. この二つの言葉は意味が似ている。 These two words have similar meanings.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, appearance, characteristics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Japanese. The kanji 似 combines the person radical 亻 with 以 (by means of), suggesting comparison.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal