ごとく

ごとく
adverb
like; as if; as though
formalgrammatical
1. like; as if; as though
A literary or formal expression meaning 'like' or 'as if,' used to draw comparisons. The full form is のごとく or がごとく.
風(かぜ)のごとく走(はし)る。
To run like the wind.
火(ひ)のごとく燃(も)える情熱(じょうねつ)。
A passion that burns like fire.
光陰矢(こういんや)のごとし。
Time flies like an arrow.
Famous proverb. ごとし is the sentence-ending form of ごとく.
彼(かれ)は水(みず)を得(え)た魚(うお)のごとく、新(あたら)しい職場(しょくば)で活躍(かつやく)した。
Like a fish in water, he thrived at his new workplace.

A classical Japanese comparison particle meaning "like" or "as." In modern Japanese, it appears in set phrases, proverbs, and formal/literary writing. The everyday equivalent is のように or みたいに.

Forms

  • ごとく: adverbial form (modifies verbs)
  • ごとき: attributive form (modifies nouns: 嵐(あらし)のごとき勢(いきお)い — force like a storm)
  • ごとし: sentence-ending form (矢(や)のごとし — like an arrow)

Common patterns

  • Noun + のごとく: like [noun]
  • Verb dictionary form + がごとく: as if [verb]

Common expressions

  • 光陰矢(こういんや)のごとし: time flies like an arrow
  • 水(みず)を得(え)た魚(うお)のごとく: like a fish in water
  • 怒涛(どとう)のごとく: like raging waves

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: のように (like, as if)
Compare: さながら (just like, as though)
general
Added 2026.3.31 3:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20861_gotoku