# ごとき・ごとく・ごとし: like; as if; the same as ~ > Learn how to use ごとき, ごとく, and ごとし, JLPT N1 grammar meaning like, as if, with structure, nuances, examples, and comparisons to ようだ. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-gotoki-gotoku-gotoshi/ **ごとき・ごとく・ごとし** means **like; as if; the same as ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern that retains a classical auxiliary verb used in modern written Japanese to draw literary comparisons, often with a dismissive or elevated tone. This grammar point appears in formal essays, literature, proverbs, and JLPT N1 reading. If you need to add a literary, archaic flavor—or a sharply negative judgment—to a comparison, these three forms are what you reach for.

ごとき adds literary flair and often a dismissive edge—choose it when ようだ won’t cut it.

## What does ごとき・ごとく・ごとし mean? Use **ごとき**, **ごとく**, or **ごとし** when you want to express the idea of similarity, metaphor, or equivalence: “like,” “as if,” “the same as.” They all come from the classical auxiliary ごとし, which survives in fixed expressions and formal writing. Natural translations include: - like; as if; the same as ~ - (in negative contexts) mere; nothing more than; a mere ~ The best choice depends on grammatical role and register. **ごとき** modifies a noun (“a ~ like …”), **ごとく** modifies a verb or adjective adverbially (“behave as if …”), and **ごとし** ends the sentence (“it is like …”). Knowing which form to use unlocks precise, natural-sounding formal Japanese. ## How to form ごとき・ごとく・ごとし The patterns differ by the role each form plays in the sentence. **ごとし** is the terminal form; **ごとき** the adnominal (連体(れんたい)形(けい)); **ごとく** the adverbial (連用(れんよう)形(けい)). All attach to nouns with の and to verbs/clauses with the plain form—often preceded by か for a hypothetical nuance.

Noun + の → ごとき / ごとく / ごとし

Verb (plain form) + (か) → ごとき / ごとく / ごとし

い-adj (plain form) + (か) → ごとき / ごとく

な-adj + な→ (か) → ごとき / ごとく

Examples of the pattern: - 風(かぜ)風かぜのごとく走る(はしる) - 夢(ゆめ)夢ゆめかごとし - 彼(かれ)彼かれのごとき素人(しろうと)素人しろうと - 泣か(なか)んばかりのごとく泣な Remember: **ごとき** always attaches to the noun that follows; **ごとく** attaches to the verb or adjective it describes; **ごとし** ends the sentence and is essentially a predicate. Using the wrong one is a common error the JLPT will test. ## When is ごとき・ごとく・ごとし used? Use **ごとき・ごとく・ごとし** in situations like: - formal, literary comparisons (poetry, essays, proverbs) - conveying a critical or dismissive tone toward a person or thing (e.g., “a mere amateur like him”) - set phrases with a classic ring (光陰(こういん)矢(や)のごとし “time flies like an arrow”) - hypothetical comparisons (when preceded by か) Tone and register: - highly formal, often archaic-sounding; rare in everyday conversation - in modern usage, the negative/dismissive nuance is especially strong when applied to people - common in JLPT N1 reading and classical text excerpts A typical spoken context would be a formal speech or a dramatic narration, not a chat over coffee. When you use it, you’re signaling a deliberate stylistic choice. ## ごとき・ごとく・ごとし example sentences

彼かれは風かぜのごとく走はしり去さった。

He ran away like the wind.

adverbial

光陰こういん矢やのごとし。

Time flies like an arrow.

set phrase predicate

その提案ていあんは絵えに描かいた餅もちのごとしだ。

That proposal is like a pie in the sky.

predicate

彼かれのごとき素人しろうとに任まかせられない。

You can’t leave this to an amateur like him.

dismissive adnominal

まるで夢ゆめかごとくに感かんじた。

I felt as if it were a dream.

hypothetical adverbial

## Nuance of ごとき・ごとく・ごとし The core nuance is a deliberate, elevated comparison that distances the speaker from ordinary, neutral language. Three layers matter most: 1. **Archaic register.** Using ごとき/ごとく/ごとし automatically lifts the sentence into formal, often poetic territory. Even in modern prose, these forms carry a classical echo. 2. **Dismissive/negative tone with people.** When applied to a person or group, ごとき strongly implies the subject is beneath consideration: “a mere X,” “nothing but X.” Compare: 彼(かれ)のような人(ひと) (neutral “a person like him”) with 彼(かれ)のごとき人(ひと) (dismissive “someone of his sort”). The JLPT often tests this negative edge. 3. **Hypothetical flavor with か.** Adding か before ごとく/ごとし softens the comparison into “as if,” emphasizing uncertainty or imagination. Without か, the statement sounds more definitive: 夢(ゆめ)のごとし = “it is like a dream” (statement of fact-like resemblance), while 夢(ゆめ)かごとし = “it seems as if a dream.” Understanding these layers helps you read classical-influenced passages on the N1 exam and decide when to reach for ごとき rather than ようだ in your own formal writing. ## ごとき・ごとく・ごとし vs ようだ / みたいだ Both sets express similarity, but register and attitude divide them sharply.

ごとき・ごとく・ごとし

formal, literary, often dismissive

Used in essays, speeches, proverbs, and when you want to criticize or elevate. The adnominal ごとき is the standard dismissive form.

彼かれのごとき者ものに何なにができるか。

What can someone like him possibly do? (derogatory)

ようだ / みたいだ

neutral, everyday

Standard for all registers; みたいだ is casual. No inherent judgment; simply expresses resemblance.

彼かれのような人ひとに何なにができるか。

What can a person like him do? (neutral)

In speech or informal writing, ようだ/みたいだ is the only natural choice. If you use ごとき in conversation outside a set phrase, you risk sounding theatrical or sarcastically pompous. On the JLPT N1, questions often ask you to choose between these based on a sentence’s overall tone. ## Common mistakes with ごとき・ごとく・ごとし

❌ 風かぜのごとき走はしる。

✅ 風かぜのごとく走はしる。

ごとき is adnominal—it must be followed by a noun. To modify a verb, use ごとく.

❌ そんなごとき話はなしを信しんじられない。

✅ そんな話はなしなど、信しんじられない。

If the noun doesn’t carry a dismissive comparison, ごとき may be out of place. Use simpler expressions unless the tone is clearly derogatory or literary.

❌ 子こどものごとき遊あそんでいる。

✅ 子こどものごとく遊あそんでいる。

Again, ごとき can’t modify a verb. Use ごとく for adverbial “like a child, playing.”

💡

Quick check: If the word that follows is a noun, choose ごとき. If it’s a verb or adjective, choose ごとく. If the pattern stands alone at the end of the sentence, ごとし.

## Is ごとき・ごとく・ごとし on the JLPT?

Yes. ごとき・ごとく・ごとし is explicitly tested at the N1 level, especially in reading comprehension and in grammar selection tasks that require recognizing formal, classical remnants.

You’ll need to:

identify correct usage (adnominal vs. adverbial) in fill-in-the-blank questions
understand its dismissive tone in a passage about a character’s opinion
recognize set phrases like 光陰(こういん)矢(や)のごとし

## Practice questions for ごとき・ごとく・ごとし

1 Rewrite this sentence using ごとく: 「鳥とりのように空そらを飛とんだ。」 form

2 Which form fills the blank? 「彼かれの＿＿＿態度たいどに腹はらが立たつ。」 (a) ごとき (b) ごとく (c) ごとし selection

3 Create a sentence with ごとき that shows a dismissive, negative judgment about a person. production

4 Explain the difference in nuance between 「夢ゆめのごとし」 and 「夢ゆめかごとし」. nuance

## Learning path for ごとき・ごとく・ごとし

1 Learn the three forms as a mini-family: ごとき (noun modifier), ごとく (adverb), ごとし (sentence-ender). Write each with a simple noun—風(かぜ)のごとく, 夢(ゆめ)のごとし, 素人(しろうと)のごとき—until the pattern sticks.

2 Read classical examples: 光陰(こういん)矢(や)のごとし, 我が(わが)道(みち)のごとく, 雲(くも)のごとく消え去る(きえさる). Notice where the form appears and what it modifies. This builds instinct for the register.

3 Compare with ようだ/みたいだ. Take the same English idea and render it once with ようだ and once with the appropriate ごとX form. Note the difference in formality and judgment.

4 Practise the negative edge. Write three sentences where you use 彼(かれ)のごとき, あいつのごとき, etc., to express scorn. Then check with a native resource or tutor that the tone is natural, not forced.

## Related grammar to review next - [がましい](/blog/n1-gamashii/) — because it also adds a critical, judgmental nuance to a noun or adjective stem, similar to the dismissive feel of ごとき. - [ぐるみ](/blog/n1-gurumi/) — because it too is a formal suffix-like expression that attaches to nouns, adding a specific nuance (“and all; including the whole”) in stylized language. - [がてら](/blog/n1-gatera/) — because it is another N1 pattern that combines two ideas in one compact phrase, often used in formal or set expressions. - [羽目(はめ)になる](/blog/n1-hame-ni-naru/) — because it, like ごとき, describes a resulting state with a negative or unintended outcome, common in formal narration. ## Learn ごとき・ごとく・ごとし with Hane If you want to review **ごとき・ごとく・ごとし** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)