Tomodai
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ごとく（如く）

Like / As if / In the same manner as

This grammar is used to express comparison or resemblance, stating that one thing is similar to another in state, manner, or appearance.

N1

Meaning

Like / As if / In the same manner as

This grammar is used to express comparison or resemblance, stating that one thing is similar to another in state, manner, or appearance.

Formation

Formal
Writing Only
Verb (plain form) + が + ごとく
Noun + の + ごとく
Noun + ごとく ※ used with fixed or abstract nouns (e.g. 法律・規則・予想)

Explanation

ごとく is a highly formal comparison expression, equivalent to ように / ようだ, but much more literary and stiff.

Core idea:

  • “In the same way as …”

  • “Just like …”

  • “As if …”

Important nuance:

  • Objective, descriptive comparison

  • No emotional exaggeration

  • Sounds authoritative, written, and logical

This grammar is commonly used in:

  • laws and regulations

  • official documents

  • academic writing

  • news articles

  • JLPT N1 reading passages

Because of its formality, ごとく is almost never used in casual conversation.