Noun ごとき / Noun ごとく (〜gotoki/〜gotoku)
JLPT N1
Explanation
Means 'like a...', 'as if...', expressing a simile or metaphor.
Formation
Noun + ごとき, Noun + ごとく, Verb-casual + ごとく, い-Adjective + ごとく
Detailed 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.
Examples
彼は天使のごとく純粋だ。
Kare wa tenshi no gotoku junsui da.
He is as pure as an angel.
悪魔のごとき行為をするな。
Akuma no gotoki koui o suru na.
Don't engage in acts like those of a devil.
彼女は雪のごとく白い肌をしている。
Kanojo wa yuki no gotoku shiroi hada o shiteiru.
She has skin as white as snow.
彼は風のごとく去った。
Kare wa kaze no gotoku satta.
He left like the wind.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.