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〜ごとし / 〜如く / 〜如き
Like / as if — simile (classical/literary)
Formation
Verb (plain present) + が + ごとし / Noun + の + ごとし. 如く (adverbial), 如き (adnominal)
Usage
A literary and formal simile expression, equivalent to ように. Often found in proverbs, songs, and formal writing.
Example sentences
光陰矢のごとし。
Time flies like an arrow.
彼は風の如く現れ、去っていった。
He appeared and disappeared like the wind.
雪の如き白い肌。
Skin as white as snow.
前述の如く、この問題は複雑だ。
As previously mentioned, this problem is complex.
努力せざる者は成功することなき如し。
Those who do not effort will not succeed.
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