みたい

みたい is used to express that something resembles or appears to be something, or to indicate an inference based on appearance or evidence. It softens statements and is common in everyday speech. It can describe physical resemblance (X is like Y), or an inferred situation (It seems that X will happen). In many cases, it implies uncertainty or subjectivity, similar to “seems like” or “looks as if” in English. It can be used with present/future events and with actions, but it does not assert a definite fact. In formal settings, みたいだ or みたいです can be used.