마치
machi[ma̠t͡ɕʰi]
The English phrase "as if" is translated into Korean as 마치 (machi).
마치 is an adverb used to set the stage for a comparison, functioning as the "as if" part of an English sentence structure to describe how something seems or looks by comparing it to something else.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a natural Korean sentence, 마치 is almost always paired with a particle such as 처럼 (like) or 듯이 (as if) later in the sentence to complete the comparison.
How do you pronounce it?
machi
Did you know?
- While 마치 sets up a comparison, Koreans often use the phrase 마치 ~인 것 같다 to soften a statement, making a direct observation sound more polite and less confrontational.
- There is a distinct difference between 마치 and the word 마치다, which sounds identical but means 'to finish' or 'to complete'.
- The Middle Korean form of 마치 recorded in the 1527 text 'Hunmong jahoe' proves that this specific way of framing comparisons has remained remarkably stable for over five centuries.
Examples in context
- 오늘은 마치 봄날처럼 따뜻하군요.On this day, it feels as if it's a warm spring day.
- 그의 눈빛은 피곤한 것처럼 보입니다.His gaze looks as if he's tired.
- 마치 꿈인 것처럼As if it were a dream
- 마치 꿈을 꾸는 것 같아요.machi kkum-eul kkuneun geot gatayo.It is as if I am dreaming.
- 그는 마치 연예인 같아요.geuneun machi yeon-ye-in gatayo.He looks as if he were a celebrity.
- 마치 영화 속 한 장면이에요.machi yeong-hwa sok han jang-myeon-ieyo.It is as if it were a scene from a movie.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a beautiful landscape during a trip.
- 서연 Seo-yeon풍경이 마치 그림 같아요, 민준 씨.pung-gyeong-i machi geurim gatayo, minjun ssi.The scenery looks as if it were a painting, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 그렇네요. 정말 아름다워요.jeongmal geureoneyo. jeongmal areumdawoyo.You're right. It is truly beautiful.
- 서연 Seo-yeon우리가 마치 주인공이 된 것 같아요.uriga machi ju-in-gong-i doen geot gatayo.It feels as if we have become the main characters.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨 말대로 정말 멋진 여행이에요.seoyeon ssi maldaero jeongmal meotjin yeohaeng-ieyo.Just as you said, Seoyeon, it is a wonderful trip.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 마치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 마치, CC BY-SA 4.0.
