類似

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 類似 is a noun read るいじ for similarity or resemblance and is also used as 類似する.
• Basic usage: It identifies shared features between proposals or describes one product as similar to another.
  • 二つの案には類似した点がいくつもあります。 concerns several similar points in two proposals; 類似の商品と間違えないよう、番号を確認してください。 instructs the reader to check the number to avoid confusing it with a similar product.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Function of 類似した
  • In 類似した点, 類似した modifies 点 and means “similar points”; the form does not simply locate the similarity in the past.
• Form 類似の
  • Before a noun, 類似 can connect with の, as in 類似の商品. Similarity does not mean complete identity.
• 類似 and 同一
  • 同一(どういつ) indicates that things are identical, while 類似 indicates that they resemble each other in some respect.