Learning how to use ‘-듯이’ in Korean is key to expressing similarity and comparison naturally. This pattern means “like” or “as if,” and it’s often used in both spoken and written Korean. In this post, you’ll discover the meaning, structure, and everyday uses of ‘-듯이’ with clear examples and practical tips.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-듯이’ means “as if,” “like,” or “as though” in English. It is used to indicate that one situation is similar to or resembles another. This pattern is similar to expressions such as:
- as if
- just like
- the way someone does something
2. Structure
- Verb stem + -듯이
- Adjective stem + -듯이
- Noun + 이듯이
- Noun + 인 듯이
- Past tense: -았/었던 듯이
What’s the difference between 이듯이 and 인 듯이?
These two look similar but are used differently.
- 이듯이: Use it directly after a noun.
Example:- 꿈이듯이 (as if it is a dream)
- 천사이듯이 (as if [she] is an angel)
- 인 듯이: Use it when the noun describes a subject, often in full sentences.
Example:- 천사인 듯이 웃었어요. (She smiled as if she were an angel.)
- 의사인 듯이 말해요. (He talks like a doctor.)
📌 NOTE: ‘(이)듯이’ is more commonly used in written or literary language, while ‘인 듯이’ is more frequent in spoken language and everyday conversations.
📌 NOTE: In real-life situations, ‘인 듯이’ sounds more natural and is widely used in conversation.
Table Summary
| Type | Structure | Example |
| Verb | Verb stem + 듯이 | 걷는 듯이 (as if walking) |
| Adjective | Adjective stem + 듯이 | 바쁜 듯이 (as if busy) |
| Noun | Noun + 이듯이/ 인듯이 | 꿈인 듯이 (as if it were a dream) |
| Past Tense | -았/었던 듯이 | 본 듯이 / 봤던 듯이 (as if saw) |
Notes on Tense
- Present tense: Use the verb or adjective stem directly with ‘-듯이’.
- Past tense: Use the past form of the verb/adjective with ‘-았/었던 듯이’.
This expresses that something seemed like something that already happened. - For nouns, add 이 after consonant-ending nouns before ‘듯이’.
3. Meaning & Usage
1. To describe an action that is done in a similar manner to another action
- 그는 춤을 추듯이 걷는다.
(He walks as if he’s dancing.) - 아이가 노래하듯이 말을 해요.
(The child speaks as if singing.) - 그녀는 바람에 날리듯이 가볍게 움직였어요.
(She moved lightly as if blown by the wind.) - 그는 들은 것을 외우듯이 말했어요.
(He spoke as if reciting what he had heard.) - 고양이는 그림자가 다가오듯이 조용히 다가왔어요.
(The cat approached quietly as if a shadow was approaching.)
2. To describe something that seems like another state (based on appearance or feeling)
- 그는 죽은 사람인 듯이 누워 있었어요.
(He was lying down as if he were a dead person.) - 얼굴이 하얗게 질린 걸 보니 무서운 걸 본 듯이 보여요.
(He looks like he saw something scary.) - 꿈을 꾼 듯이 현실감이 없어요.
(It feels unreal, like I had a dream.) - 어제 일이 아무 일도 없었던 듯이 행동하네요.
(You act as if nothing happened yesterday.) - 그녀는 아무렇지도 않은 듯이 웃었어요.
(She smiled as if nothing was wrong.)
3. To express a manner or way of doing something based on an example or standard
- 그는 선생님이 가르치듯이 천천히 설명했어요.
(He explained slowly as if the teacher was teaching.) - 엄마가 요리하듯이 정성껏 음식을 만들었어요.
(I cooked the food carefully as if my mom was cooking.) - 아이들이 노래하듯이 즐겁게 웃었어요.
(They laughed joyfully as if the children were singing.) - 그는 운동선수처럼 훈련하듯이 매일 열심히 운동해요.
(He exercises hard every day as if training like an athlete.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-듯이’ is used to express similarity, comparison, or supposition.
- Can be attached to verbs and adjectives, and to nouns as ‘-(이)듯이’.
- Often appears in literary or descriptive language.
- Be careful not to confuse it with ‘-처럼’ – ‘-듯이’ is more nuanced and poetic.
5. Practice Exercises
Complete the following sentences using ‘-듯이’.
- 그는 노래하다 → 그는 __________ 걷는다.
(He walks as if singing.) - 아기가 자다 → 엄마는 아기가 __________ 조용히 방을 나갔다.
(Mom left the room quietly as if a baby was sleeping.) - 영화배우이다 → 그는 영화배우__________ 멋있게 걸었다.
(He walked stylishly like a movie star.) - 물이 흐르다 → 눈물이 물이 __________ 흘렀다.
(Tears flowed as if water was flowing.) - 그는 혼자 말하다 → 그는 __________ 중얼거렸다.
(He mumbled as if talking to himself.) - 아이가 자다 → 아이는 __________ 조용했다.
(The child was quiet as if sleeping.) - 그는 귀신을 보다 → 그는 __________ 도망쳤다.
(He ran away as if he saw a ghost.) - 꿈을 꾸다 → 그는 꿈을 __________ 멍하니 있었다.
(He stared blankly as if dreaming.) - 그녀는 하늘을 날다 → 그녀는 __________ 뛰었다.
(She jumped as if flying.) - 비밀을 알다 → 친구는 비밀을 __________ 조용히 미소 지었다.
(My friend smiled quietly as if knowing a secret.)
6. Answers
- 노래하듯이
- 자는 듯이
- 영화배우인듯이
- 흐르듯이
- 혼잣말하듯이
- 자는 듯이
- 귀신을 본 듯이
- 꾸듯이
- 하늘을 나는 듯이
- 아는 듯이
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-듯이’ for direct statements instead of comparisons or suppositions
ncorrect: 그는 피곤한 듯이 피곤하다고 말했다. ❌ (He said he was tired as if he was tired.)
Correct: 그는 마치 밤을 새운 듯이 피곤해 보였다. ✅ (He looked tired as if he had stayed up all night.)
💡 Tip: ‘-듯이’ should be used to express resemblance, comparison, or supposition-not for simply stating facts.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-듯이’ in place of ‘-처럼’ in simple comparisons
Incorrect: 그는 형듯이 키가 크다. ❌ (He is tall like his brother.)
Correct: 그는 형처럼 키가 크다. ✅ (He is tall like his brother.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-처럼’ for straightforward comparisons. ‘-듯이’ is used more for nuanced, descriptive situations.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing ‘-듯이’ in formal writing
Incorrect: 사장님, 이 문제는 쉽듯이 해결할 수 있습니다. ❌ (Boss, this problem can be solved as if it’s easy.)
Correct: 사장님, 이 문제는 쉽게 해결할 수 있습니다. ✅ (Boss, this problem can be solved easily.)
💡 Tip: In formal writing, use simpler adverbs or structures when appropriate.
‘-듯이’ is a powerful grammar pattern that allows speakers to express actions, emotions, or states with depth and vivid imagery. Whether you’re describing someone’s movement or painting a scene with words, mastering this form will help you sound more fluent and expressive in Korean.