GRAMMAR
〜かの様だ
as if
Explanation
NOTE
〜かの様だ means as if or as though — used to describe something that resembles or gives the impression of another situation, even though it isn't actually so.
彼はまるで何も知らないかの様だ。
He acts as if he knows nothing.
Often paired with まるで to emphasize the *as if* feeling.
NOTE
It is the written / literary kanji variant of 〜かのようだ. The 様 is read as よう, and だ stays outside the ruby reading.
NOTE
Attach かの様だ to the verbs plain form (dictionary, past, or negative).
STRUCTURE
V普
かの<ruby>様<rt>よう</rt></ruby>だ彼女はまるで夢を見ているかの様だ。
Kanojo wa marude yume o mite iru kano you da.
She looks as if she's dreaming.
空は燃えているかの様だ。
Sora wa moete iru kano you da.
The sky looks as if it's burning.
彼はすべてを忘れたかの様だ。
Kare wa subete o wasureta kano you da.
He acts as if he has forgotten everything.
Practice exercises
1
どうやら、彼は何もなかったかのように振る舞った。
Apparently, he acted as if nothing had happened.
Answer
かのように
2
彼は急に黙り、まるで誰かに見られているかのように見えたに違いない。
He suddenly fell silent, and it must have seemed as if someone was watching him.
Answer
かのように
3
彼の絵は、まるで写真であるかのように精巧に描かれている。
His painting is drawn with such precision as if it were a photograph.
Answer
かのように
4
長年の努力が実った瞬間、まるで時が止まったかのように感じた。
The moment years of effort bore fruit, I felt as if time had stopped.
Answer
かのように
5
この速さでは、車が空を飛んでいるかのように事故るおそれがある。
At this speed, there's a risk the car might crash as if it's flying in the sky.
Answer
かのように