N 같으니(라고)

'N 같으니(라고)!' scolds or lightly curses someone: 'you fool!, what a …!'. This sentence-final -(으)니 of reproach occurs only after 같다; plain style, in exclamations or muttered to oneself.

감정·희망Feelings, hopes & regrets

Han: 같다 + -(으)니 gives 같으니; learners mix it with the modifier 같은.

Examples

요 귀여운 녀석 같으니라고, 또 할머니 안경을 숨겼구나.You cheeky little rascal, you've hidden Grandma's glasses again.

이런 바보 같으니라고! 지갑을 또 택시에 두고 내렸어.What an idiot I am! I left my wallet in the taxi again.

할아버지는 "고얀 녀석 같으니, 어른 말을 듣지도 않고" 하며 혀를 차셨다.Grandpa clicked his tongue: 'Insolent brat, won't even listen to his elders.'

Don’t mix up

N 같으니(라고)vs-(으)니? (물음)The question ending asks: 너 지금 괜찮으니? 'are you okay?'. 바보 같으니! scolds and expects no answer.

N 같으니(라고)vsN 같은 + N바보 같은 짓을 했어 is an ordinary description ('did a stupid thing'); 바보 같으니 is a standalone exclamation.

How to build it

N+같으니 / 같으니라고, often with 이런/저런/고얀 or an adjective before N

바보 → 이런 바보 같으니; 녀석 → 못된 녀석 같으니라고; 사람 → 무정한 사람 같으니; 녀석 → 요 귀여운 녀석 같으니라고

It attaches only to 같다 after a noun of abuse or criticism (바보, 멍청이, 녀석, 놈, or 사람 with an adjective) and forms an exclamation, not a question.
Plain, emotional speech: to children or juniors, about someone absent, or to oneself. Never to seniors; with 놈 it is rude.
With a warm noun it becomes mock scolding: 요 귀여운 녀석 같으니라고.

Classic mistake

Wrong: ~~이런 바보 같은니라고!~~

Right: 이런 바보 같으니라고!

같다 + -(으)니 gives 같으니; learners mix it with the modifier 같은.

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