ごとし

Like (Classical)

Level 6Sounds Like gotoshi

ごとし is a literary way to say "like" or "as if." It is the classical ancestor of the modern よう. While it sounds archaic, it is still used in proverbs, formal writing, and for dramatic effect in modern media.

How It Works

1. Conjugation and Inflections
This pattern follows classical ku-adjective rules. Understanding the three main forms is essential for correct usage:

  • ごとし (Terminal Form / 終止形): Used to end a sentence (e.g., 矢のごとし - It is like an arrow).
  • ごとき (Attributive Form / 連体形): Used to modify a noun (e.g., 夢のごとき日々 - Days like a dream).
  • ごとく (Adverbial Form / 連用形): Used to modify verbs or adjectives (e.g., 風のごとく走る - Run like the wind).

2. Attachment Rules

  • Nouns: Attach using the particle の (e.g., 鬼のごとし).
  • Verbs: Attach to the attributive form (連体形), often via the particle が (e.g., 動くがごとし).
  • As If: The construction 〜かのごとき / 〜かのごとく is frequently used to mean 'as if' (e.g., 燃えるかのごとき情熱 - Passion as if it were burning).

3. Modern Nuances
In modern Japanese, the attributive form ごとき often carries an evaluative tone:

  • Humble: Used to downplay one's own importance (e.g., 私ごとき - Someone as insignificant as me).
  • Derogatory: Used to look down on others (e.g., お前ごとき - The likes of you).

4. Usage Contexts
You will encounter this in:

  • Proverbs: Fixed expressions like 光陰矢のごとし（こういんやのごとし）.
  • Formal Documents: Phrases like 左記のごとく（さきのごとく - As noted to the left）.
  • Stylistic Writing: Used in novels or games to create a grand or historical atmosphere.

Examples (5)

  1. 光陰矢のごとし。

    Time flies like an arrow.

    Word by Word: Light-shade (time) arrow 's like.

    This is a famous proverb. Here, ごとし is in its terminal form (終止形), used to end the sentence.

  2. 彼は脱兎のごとく逃げ出した。

    He fled like a dashing rabbit.

    Word by Word: He (topic) dashing-rabbit 's like fled.

    ごとく is the adverbial form (連用形), used here to describe the manner in which he fled (like a rabbit).

  3. 私ごときが、そのような大役を引き受けるわけにはいきません。

    Someone as insignificant as me cannot possibly take on such a major role.

    Word by Word: Me like (subject), that kind of major-role (object) accept reason-to-go-not.

    This uses the attributive form (連体形) ごとき to modify the subject. It carries a humble nuance when referring to oneself.

  4. 疾きこと風のごとく、徐かなること林のごとし。

    Swift as the wind, silent as the forest.

    Word by Word: Fast thing wind 's like, quiet thing forest 's like.

    Famous quote from Sun Tzu's 'Art of War.' It demonstrates the adverbial ごとく to connect clauses and the terminal ごとし to end them.

  5. それは、あたかも真昼の夢かのごとき出来事であった。

    It was an event just like a midday dream.

    Word by Word: That (topic), just-as midday 's dream as-if-like event was.

    This uses the かのごとき construction, which means 'as if' or 'just like'. It is a highly literary way to express a simile.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong particle after a verb.

    食べるのごとく
    食べるがごとく

    While nouns take の, verbs in this classical construction typically take が before ごとし.

  • Using it in casual daily conversation.

    このリンゴは蜜のごとく甘いね！
    このリンゴは蜜みたいに甘いね！

    ごとし is extremely formal and literary. Using it in casual speech sounds like you are acting in a period drama or being intentionally theatrical.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ごとしLevel 6Like (Classical)

Learn This First

ごとし is a classical Japanese expression used for similes, meaning 'like' or 'as if'. To understand it, learners should be familiar with its modern counterpart 'よう', as well as how the particle 'の' is used to connect nouns in comparisons. Since it behaves like an adjective in classical grammar, a basic grasp of adjective functions is also necessary.

Words in This Pattern

ごとし