[Korean grammar] -듯이 Expressing Similarity

-듯이 is used to indicate that the contents of the preceding and following clauses are almost the same, and as such, it has the same meaning as the expressions -는 것처럼 and -는 것과 마찬가지로. It can also be used in the form -듯 which 이 omitted.

가: 어제 치러진 선거에는 투표율이 매우 높았다지요?
Wasn’t the voter turnout for yesterday’s election very high?
나: 네, 투표 결과에 대한 뜨거운 관심을 반영하듯이 어젯밤 늦게까지 개표 방송을 보는 사람이 많았대요.
Yes, I heard that many people watched the counting broadcast until late at night as if it were a reflection of everyone’s strong interest in the election results.
가: 누가 당선이 되건 간에 자기 가족을 위하듯이 국민들을 진심으로 위하는 사람이 국회의원이 되면 좋겠어요.
Regardless of who wins, I just hope that someone who will work sincerely for the citizens of the country as if they were members of his own family gets elected.
나: 그런 사람들이 많이 당선된다면 우리나라도 더 많이 좋아질 거예요.
I think our country would become a lot better if many such people were elected.

• 영주 씨한테 영주 씨 아이들이 소중하듯이 우리에게도 우리 아이들이 소중해요.
Just like Youngju’s kids are dear to her, our kids are dear to us as well.

• 제가 영국에서 좋은 시간을 보냈듯 제이 씨도 우리나라에서 좋은 시간을 보내시길 바랍니다.
Just like I had a great time in England, I hope that Jay also has a great time in Korea.

This expression is used to indicate that the action or state of affairs being observed in the following clause is either the same as, or appears to be just like, the action or state of affairs described in the preceding clause. Thus it has the meaning of -는 것처럼. It can also be used in the form -듯 which 이 omitted.

• 그 사람은 왜 항상 따지듯이 얘기하는 것일까? 좀 부드럽게 말하면 좋을 텐데.
Why does that person always talk as if he’s quibbling? It would be nice if he could speak a little more kindly.

• 비싼 가방이 라고 하더니 민지 씨는 아이를 안듯 만나는 내내 가방을 안고 있더라고.
Minji had mentioned that she had an expensive bag, and she kept holding it as if she were coddling a child the entire time we were meeting.

1. This expression is also used when confirming some fact that is known by both the speaker and hearer in stating the shared fact.
• 너도 고 있듯이 외국어 공부에는 꾸준한 노력이 필요한 거야.
As you know, steady effort is necessary for studying a foreign language.

• 앞에서도 여러 번 말씀드렸듯이 이제는 개발보다는 환경 보호에 신경을 써야 할 때입니다.
As I’ve stated many times above, now is the time to focus on environmental protection rather than development.

2. This expression is also often used idiomatically, such as in the following expressions.
• 비 오듯이 땀이 흐르다: 땀이 아주 많이 흐르다.
For sweat to flow as if it were raining: to sweat profusely.

• 불 보듯이 뻔하다: 보지 않아도 앞으로 어떤 일이 일어날지 예상할 수 있다.
As obvious as seeing a fire: The future occurrence of something is obvious without even actually seeing it.

• 가뭄에 콩 나듯이 하다: 어떤 일이 아주 드물게 일어나다.
Like beans sprouting in a drought: Something occurs very rarely.

• 게 눈 감추듯이 먹다: 배가 많이 고파서 음식을 아주 빨리 먹다.
To eat just like a crab closing its eyes: to eat very quickly because one is very hungry.

• 밥 먹듯이 하다: 어떤 일을 습관처럼 자주 하다.
To do something just like eating a meal: to do something very often/habitually.

• 제 집 드나들듯이 하다: 어떤 장소에 자주 가다.
To frequent (a place) as if it were one’s home: to go somewhere often.

•  눈 녹듯이 사라지다: 근심이나 걱정 등이 완전히 없어지다.
To disappear just like snow melting: for anxiety and worry to completely disappear.