처럼
Like, As
Attach '처럼' to a noun to mean 'like [Noun]'.
How It Works
처럼 is a very useful particle for making comparisons. You can attach it directly to a noun to describe another noun or an action.
Usage:
It attaches directly to the end of a noun, regardless of whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.
- Formula: Noun + 처럼
- Example:
- 아이 (child) + 처럼 → 아이처럼 (like a child)
- 모델 (model) + 처럼 → 모델처럼 (like a model)
처럼 is used to say that the subject of the sentence resembles the noun it's attached to in appearance, behavior, or quality.
For example:
- Describing a person/thing: '그녀는 천사처럼 착해요.' (She is kind like an angel.)
- Describing an action: '가수처럼 노래를 잘해요.' (He sings well like a singer.)
It's a simple but powerful way to add descriptive detail to your sentences. It is often used with verbs like 보이다 (to look, to seem) or 느끼다 (to feel).
Examples (5)
- 그녀는 모델처럼 키가 커요.
She is tall like a model.
Word by Word: She model-like height is tall.
- 아이가 어른처럼 말해요.
The child speaks like an adult.
Word by Word: Child adult-like speaks.
- 얼음처럼 차가운 물
Water that is cold like ice
Word by Word: Ice-like cold water
Here, '얼음처럼' (like ice) modifies '차가운' (cold), which in turn modifies '물' (water).
- 바보처럼 왜 웃어요?
Why are you laughing like a fool?
Word by Word: Fool-like why laugh?
- 어제는 꿈처럼 느껴졌어요.
Yesterday felt like a dream.
Word by Word: Yesterday dream-like was felt.
Common Mistakes
Attaching 처럼 to verbs or adjectives instead of nouns.
Not Quite예쁘다처럼 보여요.Better인형처럼 예뻐요.처럼 is a particle that must be attached to a noun. To say 'looks pretty like...', you should attach 처럼 to a noun (e.g., 인형 'doll') and then use the adjective (예뻐요 'is pretty').
Using another particle (like 을/를) before 처럼.
Not Quite가수를처럼 노래를 잘해요.Better가수처럼 노래를 잘해요.처럼 attaches directly to the noun. You don't need an object marker like 을/를 before it. The noun '가수' is the standard of comparison, not the object of the verb.
Related Patterns
- -처럼/같이Like
같이 is a synonym for 처럼 and is often used interchangeably to mean 'like' or 'as'. For example, '눈같이 하얗다' (white like snow) means the same as '눈처럼 하얗다'.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다Seems Like, Looks Like
While 처럼 makes a direct comparison ('like a noun'), -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 expresses a guess or feeling ('it seems like...'). '비가 올 것 같아요' (It seems like it will rain) is a guess, whereas '물처럼 마셔요' (He drinks it like water) is a direct comparison of his action to water.
- -답다Like, Befitting
Both express 'like', but -답다 means something is befitting of the noun's qualities (e.g., '학생답다' - to be like a proper student). 처럼 is a more general comparison. '학생처럼 행동해요' (He acts like a student) could be neutral or even negative, but '학생답게 행동해요' (He acts in a way befitting a student) is positive.