Noun ごとき / Noun ごとく

When to use

のごとき / のごとく: like, as if (written) (夢のごとく).

Explanation

「〜ごとき／〜ごとく」conveys similarity, as if comparing one thing to another. ごとき often modifies nouns, while ごとく can modify verbs or adjectives as well. It's more formal and literary in tone than simple expressions like みたい or よう.

• 彼かれは天使てんしのごとく純粋じゅんすいだ。

  He is as pure as an angel.

  Kare wa tenshi no gotoku junsui da.

• 悪魔あくまのごとき行為こういをするな。

  Don't engage in acts like those of a devil.

  Akuma no gotoki koui o suru na.

• 彼女かのじょは雪ゆきのごとく白しろい肌はだをしている。

  She has skin as white as snow.

  Kanojo wa yuki no gotoku shiroi hada o shiteiru.

• 彼かれは風かぜのごとく去さった。

  He left like the wind.

  Kare wa kaze no gotoku satta.

Resemblance (Like / As If)

• ～みたいだ〜mitai daN4Indicates similarity, resemblance or 'like'; 'it seems'…
• まるで～ようmaru de ~ youN3Used to express a strong resemblance or similarity; 'as…
• ～かのようだ〜ka no you daN2Express a similarity or comparison; 'as if', 'like', 'as…
• Noun のごとき NounA no gotoki BN1Expresses 'like' or 'as if'; something/someone resembles…
• ～も同然だ〜mo douzen daN2Indicates 'as good as', 'virtually', or 'practically' the…
• Noun 並み~namiN1Indicates 'like' or 'as' something or someone; 'equivalent…
• ～びる〜biruN1A suffix meaning “to appear/to become ~,” often used with…

Compare when to use each