how do you translate this sentence?

ameko · (#1 (**permalink**))

hi

i actually posted this in the official translations thread but i am desperate for quick answers

how do you translate "like a car" to japanese?
is it
"kuruma no you ni"
or
"kuruma no you na"

???

please help! you will help me a lot

MMM · (#2 (**permalink**))

It depends on what you have coming after it. Both could be correct.

ameko · (#3 (**permalink**))

^ thanks for your reply!

i actually don't have anything coming after it. so i guess i can just pick any one?

Colin · (#4 (**permalink**))

Personally, i think the "na" version would work better but really I guess they both work

MMM · (#5 (**permalink**))

Then "kuruma no you ni"

or "kuruma no you"

ameko · (#6 (**permalink**))

thanks MMM and Colin

KyleGoetz · (#7 (**permalink**))

"kuruma no you ni" is an adverbial phrase
"kuruma no you na" is an adjectival phrase

For example,
-Kuruma no you ni unten suru. You drive it like a car. [You drive it car-like.]
-Kuruma no you na saikuru. It is a car-like motorcycle.

Big difference, grammatically speaking.