[JLPT N3] Like we were friends: [もしも・わずか・やはり・まるで] ＋ 友達のように？
こんにちは、ちか先生です。
Konnichiwa, it’s Chika Sensei.
Today, I’m sharing a practice question for JLPT prep.
This one’s for intermediate learners (JLPT N3)!
Can you choose the correct answer?
[Practice Question]
知らない人が（＿＿）友達のように話しかけてきた。
*しらないひとが（＿＿）ともだちのように はなしかけてきた。
1 もしも
2 わずか
3 やはり
4 まるで
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▼
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[Answer]
知らない人が（4 まるで）友達のように話しかけてきた。
A stranger talked to me as if we were friends.
まるで〜のように
= “as if ~” / “just like ~” (metaphor / comparison)
In this sentence:
知らない人
= a stranger
でも、
友達のように話しかけてきた
= talked to me like a friend
So we use:
まるで + noun + のように
→ まるで友達のように
= as if (we were) friends / just like a friend
That’s why まるで is the best choice.
✖ Other Choices:
もしも
= “if” (used with 〜たら)
→ This sentence is describing a real past event, not a hypothetical “if.”
わずか
= “only a little” / “just a small amount”
→ It describes quantity, so it doesn’t fit here.
やはり
= “as expected” / “after all”
→ It shows expectation, not a comparison like “as if.”
I hope this explanation helps! 😊