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如す (なす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

なす

な

す

Meanings

1

suffix

-like; resembling; similar to

usually written using kana alone

Attaches to nouns to form expressions meaning 'like X' or 'in the manner of X'. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

彼かれの態たい度どは大人おとななす落おち着つきがある。
His demeanor has a calmness like an adult.
その風ふう景けいは絵えなす美うつくしさだった。
The scenery was beautiful like a painting.

Kanji

如likeness, like, such as

Similar words

ごとし
Classical Japanese adjective meaning 'like' or 'as if'. 如す is a suffix derived from the same root but used in modern compounds.
ようだ
Common auxiliary adjective for 'seems like' or 'is similar to'. 如す is more literary and attaches directly to nouns.

Etymology

Derived from classical Japanese 如し (gotoshi), meaning 'like' or 'similar to'. The suffix form 如す (nasu) attaches to nouns to create adjectival expressions.