Noun のごとき Noun

A no gotoki B

JLPT N1 Very formal, literary Chapter 136: As if, seeming like, putting it on, 2 of 8

Formation

Noun1 + のごとき + Noun2

Expresses 'like' or 'as if'; something/someone resembles something else strongly.

When to use

Very formal, literary "like/as if" - echoes classical Japanese; rare outside formal writing.

Explanation

The のごとき pattern is used to convey the concept of 'just like' or 'as if'. The comparison here is strong, indicating that the thing/person is very similar to or almost the same as the thing/person compared to. It is a bit archaic and thus is more often found in writings than in everyday conversation.

Example sentences

彼かれは神かみのごとき存在そんざいだ。

He is an existence like a god.

Kare wa kami no gotoki sonzai da.
彼女かのじょの美うつくしさは花はなのごときものだ。

Her beauty is like a flower.

Kanojo no utsukushisa wa hana no gotoki mono da.
彼かれは悪魔あくまのごとき行動こうどうをした。

He acted like a devil.

Kare wa akuma no gotoki koudou o shita.
この地方ちほうは春はるのごとき気候きこうだ。

This region has a climate like spring.

Kono chiho wa haru no gotoki kiko da.

Resemblance (Like / As If)

Compare when to use each