Korean Grammar Bank

HOW TO USE 처럼

The word 처럼 in Korean is used to make comparisons or indicate similarity between two things.

In this lesson we will teach you how to use 처럼 to express concepts like “like,” “as,” or “similar to”.

USING 처럼 WITH VERBS

This sentence structure is the equivalent of ‘as if, as though’ or ‘seem like/look like’ in English.

Add 처럼 after the noun to express doing something like X:

PATTERN

Subject + noun + 처럼 + verb

그녀는 그녀의 엄마처럼보인다.She looks just like her mother.
저 개는 우리 이웃집개처럼 보인다.That dog looks like my neighbour’s dog.
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이렇게 전시해 놓으니 더풍성한 것 처럼 보인다Displaying this way makes it look more abundant.
멀리서 비행기가 작은새처럼 보인다.The plane looks like a little bird far away.
저것은 우리 아빠의시계처럼 보인다.That looks like my father’s watch.

USING 처럼 WITH ADJECTIVES

This structure is used to describe something with a quality similar to another object or concept.

PATTERN

Noun + 처럼 + adjective

그는 바위처럼 단단하다.

He is as solid as a rock.

그 집은 성처럼 크다.

That house is as large as a castle.
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그녀는 고양이처럼 유연하다.She is as flexible as a cat.
이 침대는 구름처럼 푹신하다.This bed is as soft as a cloud.
그의 머리는 불처럼 빨갛다.His hair is as red as fire.

USING WITH CLAUSES

You can use “처럼” to compare entire clauses or scenarios.

PATTERN

Noun + 처럼 + clause

그는 사자처럼 사냥하듯이 달린다.He runs like a lion hunting.
그녀는 어린아이처럼 즐겁게 웃었다.She laughed like a little child.
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우리는 친구처럼 서로를 이해했다.We understood each other like friends.
그녀는 물고기처럼 수영했다.She swam like a fish.

HOW TO USE 것처럼

This structure is used to express that someone is doing something in a way similar to another action.

PATTERN

Verb + 는 것처럼

그녀는 춤추는 것처럼 움직였다.

She moved as if she were dancing.
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그는 마치 걸어다니는 것처럼 전화로 이야기한다.He talks on the phone as if he is walking around.
그녀는 춤추는 것처럼 움직였다.She moved as if she were dancing.
그는 기계가 작동하는 것처럼 정확했다.He was as precise as a machine.
그녀는 공부하는 것처럼 집중했다.She focused as if she were studying.

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FAQs

How to use 처럼 with verbs?

To use 처럼 with verbs, the sentence structure is as follow:

Subject + noun + 처럼 + verb

멀리서 비행기가 작은새처럼 보인다.

The plane looks like a little bird far away.

How to use 처럼 with adjectives?

This structure is used to describe something with a quality similar to another object or concept.

Noun + 처럼 + adjective

그는 바위처럼 단단하다. He is as solid as a rock.

How to use 것처럼?

This structure is used to express that someone is doing something in a way similar to another action.

Verb + 는 것처럼

그녀는 춤추는 것처럼 움직였다. She moved as if she was dancing.

How to say more in Korean comparisons?

More in Korean is 더.

To make a comparison in the Korean language with “more”, put 더 in front of the adjective you want to talk about.

Examples:

이 지갑은 더 비싸요. This wallet is more expensive.

겨울에 날씨가 더 추워요. The weather is colder in winter.

Where to find more free Korean resources?

You can find more free lessons like this in our Korean Grammar Bank.

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