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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 8: To look like, to seem like (Noun + 같다)

In this unit, we will learn how to say something is "like" something else, or "seems like" a noun.

The Verb: 같다 (gat-da)

같다 means "to be the same" or "to be alike." In everyday polite conversation, it is conjugated as 같아요 (ga-ta-yo).

  • A와 B는 같아요. = A and B are the same.
  • 이거랑 저거랑 같아요? = Are this and that the same?

Noun + 같다 (To be like / to look like)

If you attach 같다 directly to a noun, it means it looks like or seems like that noun. However, to sound completely natural in Korean, we usually add the particle 이랑/랑 (with/and) or 하고 (with/and) before 같아요.

Structure: Noun + (이)랑 + 같아요 / Noun + 하고 + 같아요 (Literally: "It is the same with [Noun]")

  • 거짓말 같아요. (It seems like a lie.) -> Often used without particles for fixed phrases.
  • 이 사람은 천사 같아요. (This person is like an angel. / looks like an angel.)

Let's look at more natural phrasing: * 그 강아지는 곰 같아요. (That puppy looks like a bear.) * 이 물은 얼음 같아요. (This water is like ice - very cold.)

Noun + 처럼 / 같이 (Like / As)

When you want to use "like" as an adverb to describe how an action is done, you use 처럼 (cheo-reom) or 같이 (ga-chi) attached to a noun. They both mean "like" or "as."

Structure: Noun + 처럼 / Noun + 같이 + Verb/Adjective

  • 새처럼 날고 싶어요. (I want to fly like a bird.)
  • 영화배우처럼 잘생겼어요. (He is handsome like a movie actor.)
  • 한국 사람같이 한국어를 잘해요. (He speaks Korean well like a Korean person.)

Example Sentences

  1. 우리 선생님은 호랑이 같아요. (Our teacher is like a tiger. - Scary/Strict)
  2. 바보 같이 울었어요. (I cried like a fool.)
  3. 우리는 가족 같아요. (We are like family.)
  4. 천재처럼 똑똑해요. (She is smart like a genius.)