будто бы vs как будто

budto by vs kak budto — supposedly/as if vs as if

What it really means

Будто бы often distances the speaker from a report or allegation (“supposedly”), though it can also mean “as if.” Как будто is the common comparison phrase “as if/as though,” describing an appearance or hypothetical resemblance. Both are written as separate words, and clause punctuation follows their syntactic connection.

Examples in natural speech

Он будто бы уехал вчера.
He supposedly left yesterday.
Будто бы всё было решено заранее.
It was as though everything had been decided in advance.
Она улыбается, как будто ничего не случилось.
She smiles as if nothing happened.
Как будто дождь начинается.
It looks as if rain is starting.
Он говорит, будто бы знает ответ.
He speaks as if he knows the answer.

Common mistakes

Do not write «будтобы» or «какбудто». Do not use как будто for every hearsay report: будто бы can explicitly distance the speaker from a claim, while как будто generally presents an appearance or comparison.

Memory tip

Будто бы marks a report at arm’s length; как будто builds an “as if” comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Does будто бы always mean “supposedly”?

No. In «он будто бы улыбнулся» it may describe an apparent action; context and intonation determine whether hearsay or comparison is central.

Can как будто introduce a noun comparison?

Yes: «как будто ребёнок» means “like a child/as if [he were] a child,” with the implied verb supplied by context.

Is there a comma inside как будто?

No. A comma separates the entire subordinate clause when required; «как будто» itself is not split.

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