-like; having the quality of
Suffix that attaches to nouns, forming 形容動詞 (na-adjective) stems. Often used in the pattern 〜然とする to describe a state or appearance. Productive in literary and formal contexts.
His manner is truly gentleman-like.
He speaks in a tone that makes him seem every bit the scholar.
The building has a temple-like atmosphere.
She displayed behavior that was every inch that of a lady.
nature; the natural world · natural; spontaneous; automatic · naturally; spontaneously; automatically
natural; proper; reasonable; deserved · naturally; of course; as a matter of course
sudden; abrupt; unexpected
coincidence; chance; accident · by chance; unexpectedly; accidentally · contingency
inevitable; necessary; bound to happen · inevitability; necessity
just like; no different from; as good as
firmly; resolutely; absolutely · definitely; absolutely · by far; far and away; hands down
open; public; overt
still; as before; unchanged
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
before it happens; in advance; preventive
dumbfounded; speechless; flabbergasted
suddenly; abruptly; all of a sudden · very; absolutely; by far
noisy; uproarious; in an uproar
dumbfounded; in a daze; stunned
calm; composed; unruffled
resolute; firm; undaunted
orderly; systematic; tidy
absolute; complete; utter; pure; sheer
fully satisfied; cleared of doubt; convinced
evident; clear; distinct; plain
clearly; distinctly; evidently
dazed; bewildered; blankly
brilliant; radiant; sparkling
vague; obscure; hazy; ambiguous
messy; cluttered; disorderly; chaotic
detached; aloof; indifferent
decisive; resolute; determined
calm; composed; unruffled
From classical Chinese, where 然 was used as a suffix meaning 'like' or 'in the manner of'. It was adopted into Japanese and remains productive in formal and literary vocabulary.