-듯이

Meaning / Usage

-듯이 is a connective ending that shows that the situation in the following clause is similar to, or parallels, the situation before it.

Its core meanings are “just as,” “like,” “as if,” and “in the same way that.” The important idea is that the second situation resembles the first in its pattern, manner, or result.

Conjugation

Attach -듯이 directly to the stem of an action verb or descriptive verb. Tense markers can also come before it, as in 했듯이 or 좋았듯이.

Type	Base form	Form
Action verb	먹다	먹듯이
Action verb	오다	오듯이
Descriptive verb	작다	작듯이
Descriptive verb	크다	크듯이

Example Sentences

1. 나라마다 언어가 다르듯이 문화도 다르다.
   Just as languages differ from country to country, cultures are also different.

2. 사람이 나이가 들면 아프듯이 가전제품도 오래 쓰면 고장이 잘 난다.
   Just as people tend to get sick as they age, appliances also tend to break after being used for a long time.

3. 선생님이 보여 주셨듯이 이 버튼을 천천히 누르세요.
   Press this button slowly, just as the teacher showed us.

4. 물은 위에서 아래로 흐르듯이 시간도 한 방향으로 흘러가요.
   Just as water flows from high to low, time also moves in one direction.

5. 어제 약속했듯이 오늘 안에 일을 끝낼게요.
   As I promised yesterday, I will finish the work today.

6. 민수는 아무 일도 없었던 듯이 태연하게 웃었어요.
   Minsu smiled calmly as if nothing had happened.