Korean: 비슷하다、같다、처럼 | Similar, like, as

Today we are going to talk about the way "similarity" is expressed. We often compare various things: A is the same as B, A is like B, or something that looks like A... and so on. These expressions often use the words "비슷하다", "같다", and "처럼". Let's take a look at how these words are used.

비슷하다 ｜ similar

Verb. Means "similar".

Use 랑, or 하고 to connect similar objects.

ＯＯ랑/하고 비슷하다.

나는 아빠랑 비슷하다.

I am like my dad.

Is it very simple?
If you want to say "something like... When you want to say "something like...", you need to use the grammar rule of Korean: Modifying Nouns with Verb that we introduced before.

Something like... | 비슷한 것

To describe "something like... 비슷한 것", you can use "... 비슷한 것".

Example

그는 사전 비슷한 것을 들고 있습니다.

He is holding something like a dictionary.
사전 is a dictionary, and "사전 비슷한 것" is something like a dictionary.

"것" can also be replaced with other specific nouns. For example, in the following sentence, "것" is replaced by "장난감" (toy).

문 앞에는 강아지 비슷한 장난감이 있었다.

There was a toy similar to a dog at the door.
"문 앞에" is the front door.
"강아지" is a puppy.
"장난감" is a toy.
So "강아지 비슷한 장난감" is "a toy that looks like a puppy".

같다 | the same as...

A verb. Means "the same as... the same". 99% similarity.

Use 랑, or 하고 to connect to the object.

나의 취미는 친구의 취미랑 같다.

My hobby is the same as my friend's.

우리가 입는 옷은 똑같습니다.

The clothes we wear are the same.

「-것 같다」 | I think, I feel like

"것같다" can be used to mean "I think, I feel like".

그는 몸이 좋지 않아 집에 간 것 같아요.

I think he went home because he wasn't feeling well.

열쇠 가져 오는 것을 잊은 것 같습니다.

I think I forgot to bring my keys.。
열쇠 = key
가져 오다 = bring something
잊다 = to forget

처럼 | as...

Preposition. Means "as ...". Preceded by a noun.
Grammar rules,

noun + 처럼

Conclusion

• 비슷하다, 같다, and 처럼 can be used to express "similarity", "same", or "like".
• In terms of similarity, 같다 > 비슷하다. (비슷하다 is about 70% to 80% similar, while 같다 is about 90% similar)
• "것 같다" can be used to describe "I think or feel like".