Structure
Noun + の(1) + ごとし。
Noun + の(1) + ごとく
Noun + の(1) + ごとき + Noun
Verb + が(2) + ごとし。
Verb + が(2) + ごとく
Verb + が(2) + ごとき + Noun,
(1)であるが
(2) かの
Details
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Formal
使用域
硬い
About 如く・如き・如し
如し is an classical auxiliary verb in Japanese which has a very similar meaning to its modern equivalent, よう 'manner of'. Just like よう, ごとし (written primarily in hiragana) focuses on the appearance of (A) based on observation. Due to this, ごとし may be translated as 'like (A)', 'similar to (A)', or 'as if it were (A)'.
ごとし is the base form of this auxiliary verb, but ごとく (the conjunctive form), and ごとき (the attributive form) will also be seen. As only ごとき is attributive, it may be followed directly by other nouns, while ごとし most often comes at the end of sentences. ごとく acts as an adverb when preceding verbs, but may also be seen before breaks in clauses. Let's look at a few examples of each form.
Like よう, ごとし and its variations will follow の when coming after a noun. However, it will follow が when coming after a verb.
ごとし is the base form of this auxiliary verb, but ごとく (the conjunctive form), and ごとき (the attributive form) will also be seen. As only ごとき is attributive, it may be followed directly by other nouns, while ごとし most often comes at the end of sentences. ごとく acts as an adverb when preceding verbs, but may also be seen before breaks in clauses. Let's look at a few examples of each form.
Like よう, ごとし and its variations will follow の when coming after a noun. However, it will follow が when coming after a verb.
-
ことわざ:竜に翼を得たる如し。Proverb: It is as if a dragon had wings.
- 主婦の私には休みなんかはあってなきが如し。As a housewife, it's like I don't have any days off.
- 高橋先生は鬼の如く怖いと言う噂を聞いた。I have heard rumors that Mr. Takahashi is as scary as a demon.
- 生まれてきたばかりの赤ちゃんが天使の如くかわいい。The baby that was just born is cute like an angel.
- 彼女の如き頭がいい人でも失敗することはあるに決まっている。Even a smart person like her is bound to make mistakes.
- 風邪ごときで休んでいる余裕など私にはない。I can't afford to take a break just because of something like a cold.
Fun Fact
The kanji 如 itself has a meaning very similar to the word 'likeness' in English, indicating something that resembles (A) in every sense of the word, but is not actually (A). This kanji can be seen in several common words in Japanese such as 如何 'how'.Synonyms
Examples
彼女の動きはバレリーナの如し。
Her movements are like those of a ballet dancer.
ガンダルフの如き英雄はたんと無い。
There are not many heroes like Gandalf.
ウサイン・ボルトのごとく走る。
He runs like Usain Bolt.
忍者についての小説:「カツラが疾風のごとく庭を駆け巡り、塀を飛び越えていった。」
A novel about ninja: 'Katsura ran through the garden like a swift wind and jumped over the wall.'
葬儀のスピーチ:「子供の頃、おじさんが「光陰矢の如し」とよく言っていました。その意味が、今やっとわかるようになってきた気がします。」
Funeral speech: 'When I was a kid, my uncle used to say 'time flies like an arrow.' Now I feel like I'm finally starting to understand the meaning of it.'
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如く・如き・如し – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
matt_in_mito
Why is my answer incorrect in this case? のごとき fits in with the structure as well as the explanation written in orange (i.e. noun + のごとき + noun) but it says it is incorrect. Any ideas?
nekoyama
It’s not the garden that’s like a swift wind.
matt_in_mito
Oh I think I understand, so you could put a 、 after ごとき and that would also look OK, right?
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