TOPIK · Level 126
16 words
Korean word
듯이
Pronunciation
Romanizationteusi
Meaning
- adverbas if
Example
그녀는 모르는 듯이 말했다.keu nyeo neun mo reu neun teu si mal haet tta
She spoke as if she didn't know.
More examples
그는 웃는 듯이 농담을 던졌다.keu neun un neun teu si nong da meul teon jeot tta
He told a joke with what seemed like a smile.
Core concept
One situation is viewed through the image of another, showing a similar way of acting or being.
Common phrases
웃는 듯이un neun teu si
as if smiling
알고 있는 듯이al go in neun teu si
as if knowing
냉정한 듯이naeng jeong han teu si
as if calm
Similar words
같이kachi: Shows people sharing one activity, place, or time.
처럼cheoreom: Shows a person or thing in a manner similar to a given example.
Definition in Korean
동사·형용사 어간에 붙어 어떤 동작이나 상태를 예로 들거나 비유하여 그와 비슷한 방식임을 나타내는 부사 표현이다.tong sa hyeong yong sa eo ga ne pu teo eo tteon tong ja gi na sang tae reul ye ro teul geo na pi yu ha yeo keu wa pi seu tan pang si gi meul na ta nae neun pu sa pyo hyeo ni da
Word origin
The word combines 듯 (deu, "appearance or manner") with 이 (si, "an adverb-forming element"), turning an idea of appearance or manner into an adverbial expression.
Usage tips
- English learners can use it when English uses a comparison with as if, but the Korean form attaches closely to a verb or adjective stem.
Opposites
- 실제로siljeroactuallyadverb
Related words
- 듯하다teutadaseemverb
- 그럴듯하다keureoldeutadaplausibleadjective