JLPT N2
～ごとし
It is like, as if, just like
Structure
名詞 + の + ごとし / 動詞-辞書形 + が + ごとし (archaic)
How it works
「～ごとし」 is an older, more literary way to express comparison, meaning 'it is like,' 'as if,' or 'just like,' similar to 「～のようだ」. It is rarely used in modern conversational Japanese.
Examples
人生は川の流れのごとし。
Life is like the flow of a river.
Common mistakes
Attempting to use it in everyday speech; it will sound unnatural and overly formal.
Tip
Remember it as 'like a classic simile' – it draws a vivid comparison but sounds formal and old-fashioned.
More JLPT N2 grammar
See ～ごとし in real Japanese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
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