GRAMMAR
〜ごとく・〜ごとき・〜ごとし ②
like (humble/derogatory)
Explanation
NOTE
In this sense, 〜ごとき after a noun means someone like — and lowers that person's value.
私ごときには無理です。
For someone like me, it is impossible.
When pointing at oneself, ごとき sounds humble; when pointing at others, it sounds derogatory.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. The speaker treats the person as too small or unworthy.
子供ごときに負けるものか。
As if I would lose to a mere child.
NOTE
Attach ごとき directly to a noun, usually a person, with no particle in between.
STRUCTURE
N辞
ごとき新人ごときに仕事は任せられない。
Shinjin gotoki ni shigoto wa makaserarenai.
I cannot leave the job to a mere newcomer.
私ごときがお役に立てるでしょうか。
Watashi gotoki ga oyaku ni tateru deshou ka.
Could someone like me really be of help?
彼ごときに負けるはずがない。
Kare gotoki ni makeru hazu ga nai.
There is no way I would lose to someone like him.
Practice exercises
1
私ごときに務まるでしょうか。
Could someone like me handle this role?
Answer
ごとき
2
新人ごときに負けるものか。
As if I would lose to a mere newcomer.
Answer
ごとき
3
彼ごときに大事な仕事は頼めない。
I cannot ask someone like him to do an important job.
Answer
ごとき
4
未熟な私ごときに、この大役が務まるでしょうか。
Could someone as inexperienced as I am really fulfill this important role?
Answer
ごときに
5
社長たる者が、平社員ごときにに頭を下げるわけにはいかない。
Someone who is a president cannot possibly bow their head to a mere ordinary employee.
Answer
ごときに
6
課長ともあろう者が、部下ごときにに叱られるとは情けない。
For a section chief of all people, to be scolded by a mere subordinate is pathetic.
Answer
ごときに
7
愚かな私ごときが、このような偉業を成し遂げられるはずもない。
For a foolish person like me, there's no way I could achieve such a great feat.
Answer
ごときが
8
凡人ごときにに天才の苦悩が理解できるはずがない。
A mere commoner cannot possibly understand the anguish of a genius.
Answer
ごときに