📝 Grammar A2 ✓ Native Reviewed

-같은

-gateun

Like / Such as / Similar to

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What it means

-같은 comes from 같다 (to be like/same) and is used as a modifier meaning "like," "such as," or "similar to." Creates comparisons and descriptions.

Nuance & when to use

천사 같은 사람 = a person like an angel. 꿈 같은 시간 = time like a dream. ~같이 = together with / like (adverb form). 마치 ~같다 = it's as if / just like. Very poetic when used in K-pop lyrics: 천사 같은 너 (you, who are like an angel).

⚠ Common mistake

같아요 = "it's the same / it seems like." 같은 = "like" (modifier). 우리 같은 사람 = people like us. 우리가 같아요 = we are the same.

Example sentences

천사 같은 미소예요. Cheonsa gateun misoyeyo. It's a smile like an angel's.
꿈 같은 하루였어요. Kkum gateun haruosseoyo. It was a day like a dream.
저 같은 사람도 할 수 있어요. Jeo gateun saramdo hal su isseoyo. Even someone like me can do it.

See also

비슷한 처럼 -같이
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← -(으)면 -고 싶다 →

FAQ

When is this used?

천사 같은 사람 = a person like an angel. 꿈 같은 시간 = time like a dream. ~같이 = together with / like (adverb form). 마치 ~같다 = it's as if / just like. Very poetic when used in K-pop lyrics: 천사 같은 너 (you, who are like an angel).

What's a common mistake?

같아요 = "it's the same / it seems like." 같은 = "like" (modifier). 우리 같은 사람 = people like us. 우리가 같아요 = we are the same.

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