What it means
まるで is an adverb used to emphasize that something strongly resembles something else or gives a particular impression. With のようだ or ようだ, it means “just like” or “as if,” often marking a vivid comparison. It can also strengthen a predicate to mean “completely” or “entirely,” especially with expressions such as まるで違う. The comparison is usually subjective and emphasizes how striking the resemblance or impression is.
Usage note
まるで is most commonly used with のようだ, ようだ, のように, or のような when making a comparison. Do not automatically translate it as “completely” when it introduces a comparison; in sentences such as まるで別の世界のようだ, “just like another world” is more natural.
How to use it
この景色はまるで別の世界のようです。
This scenery is just like another world.
森の中はまるで時間が止まったようです。
In the forest, it is as if time has stopped.
この景色はまるで別の世界のようだ。
This scenery is just like another world.
森の中はまるで時間が止まったようだ。
In the forest, it is as if time has stopped.
Example sentences
雪が積もった公園は、まるで白い絵本のようだった。
The park covered in snow was just like a white picture book.
新しく改装された図書館は、まるで静かな美術館のようです。
The newly renovated library is just like a quiet art museum.
夜の海に浮かぶ灯台は、まるで空