A compared with B
N + に比べて
Open details
Use when: state difference between two standards clearly.
Contrast: A より B のほうが = simple preference; A に比べて highlights the axis/criterion.
As if … (neutral~formal)
まるで + （N の／V普／Aい／Aな + ようだ）
Open details
Nuance: metaphor/simile; also “as if it were true though it’s not”.
As if … (casual)
まるで + （N／V普／Aい／Aな）+ みたいだ
Open details
Register: very conversational. Works as な-adj-like（N + みたいな + N / みたいに + V/Adj）.
“For / considering …” (mismatch)
N + の／V普／Aい／Aな + わりに
Open details
Nuance: result differs from typical expectation for that standard (often “better/worse than expected”).
1) 〜に比べて — compared with A
Clearly sets A as the baseline, then tells how B differs.
Form: N + に 比比 べて + （B）
Tip: can front either side: Aに比べて、Bは〜 ／ BはAに比べて〜
Compared with last year, sales increased.
この
This street is quiet compared with the next one.
Aプランは Bに
Plan A is cheaper than B.
Contrast: より is simpler（AよりBが〜）; に比べて stresses the comparison axis or context.
2) まるで〜ようだ — as if (neutral~formal)
Expresses simile or “seems as if it were true.” Pairs naturally with まるで for emphasis.
Forms: N + の + ようだ ／ V-普 + ようだ ／ Aい + ようだ ／ Aな + な + ようだ
Formal alt.: 〜かのようだ（文章的）
この
This view is just like a painting.
だれも いないのに、
No one’s here, but it feels as if someone were.
あの
That player moves as if he were a cat.
3) まるで〜みたいだ — as if (casual)
Very conversational. Works adjectivally/adverbially as みたいな／みたいに.
Pattern: まるで + （N／V-普／Aい／Aな）+ みたいだ
Adj-like: N + みたいな + N ／ みたいに + V/Adj
この
This road is like a maze.
その
That cloud looks like an animal.
かれは
He talks like a teacher.
Contrast: より丁寧に言いたい・文章語 ⇒ 〜ようだ／〜かのようだ.
4) 〜わりに — for / considering … (mismatch with expectation)
Evaluates something against a standard and finds it better/worse than typical.
Forms: N + の + わりに ／ V-普 + わりに ／ Aい + わりに ／ Aな + な + わりに
Meaning: “for/considering N, (it’s) … (unexpected result)”
She looks young for her age.
For the price, the portion is small.
よく
Considering how much I practiced, the result was ordinary.
Caution: can sound critical. In business, soften with 〜気味 / もう少し〜だとありがたい.
Quick contrasts & pitfalls
- AよりB = plain comparison; Aに比べてB = emphasizes the comparison frame or criterion.
- まるで〜ようだ vs まるで〜みたいだ: register difference（ようだ＝文章/丁寧寄り、みたいだ＝会話寄り）; meaning is largely同じ.
- 〜かのようだ is more literary/explicitly counterfactual.
- わりに = unexpected relative to a standard; positive/negative both可（仕事が忙しいわりに元気だ）.
