This pattern shows resemblance or likeness when attached to nouns, i.e. in English, to be like something (as in lady-like, child-like). It is normally done to praise something by making the comparision.

- is an irregular ㅂ verb
- adjective form is -다운
- adverbial form is -답게
- negative form is -답지 않다 or -답지 못하다; meaning "to be unlike" or "to be unbecoming"

Examples:

남자답다/to be manly
숙녀답다/to be lady-like
형님답다/to be like an elder brother (to a man)
학자답다/to be scholarly
친가가 남자답게 싸웠어요./My friend fought like a man.
그렣게 행동하는 것은 신사답지 않습니다./It's not gentlemanly to act like that.
이 나라에 대도시다운 대도시가 적어요./In this country there are few large cities worthy of the name.