N-답다 grammar = N-like, be like a N ~Express an expected quality associated with the noun

L2.67 N-답다 grammar = N-like, be like a N ~Express an expected quality associated with the noun.

Usage:
- Convert a noun to adjective that expresses an expected quality associated with the noun.

Noun + -답다:

신사  -- 신사답다 (gentleman-like)

연구자 -- 연구자답다 (researcher-like)

형  -- 형답다 (be like a brother)
남자 -- 남자답다 (manly)
전문가 -- 전문가답다 (be like an expert)
선수 -- 선수답다 (be like a player)
기자 -- 기자답다 (be like a journalist)

Examples:

1. 오늘 저 선수가 왜 저렇게 경기를 못하죠?
- 그러게요. 오늘 경기 모습은 세계적인 축구 선수답지 않네요.

Why isn't that player competing well today?
- I know. His play today is unlike that of a world-class football player.

2. 엄마, 이 옷 어때요? 저한테 어울려요?
- 옷이 그게 뭐니? 학생은 학생답게 옷을 입어야지. 좀더 얌전한 옷으로 갈아입어.

Mom, how are these clothes? Do they fit me?
- What’s that? Student should wear something fitting for students. Change to something a little more modest.

3. 수지 씨는 여자다운 데가 하나도 없는 것 같아요.

Suzy doesn’t seem to have any womanly quality at all.

4. 그 회사에는 국내 최고의 회사답게 우수한 직원들이 많이 있습니다.

That company has a lot of outstanding employees, which is typical of a top domestic company.

5. 정말 신사답게 행동하네요.

That’s really a gentleman-like manner.

6. 그 변호사가 그렇게 유능해요?
- 모든 일을 전문가답게 잘 처리하거든요.

Is that lawyer really competent like that?
- He can handle all stuffs well like an expert.

Difference between ‘N-답다’ and ‘N-스럽다’ grammar:

1. N-답다 describes an expected quality associated with the noun. For example, a man (남자) is expected to be a manly (남자답다) person. 

N-답다 is often attached to concrete nouns 

사장님 (boss) -- 사장님답다 (be like a boss)
농민 (farmer) -- 농민답다 (be like a farmer)

2. N-스럽다 shows contrast between the described noun and its action. For example, a girl (여성) acts like a lady (여성스럽다), a young person acts like an elder (어른스럽다). 

N-스럽다 is also used to describe a quality or feeling just like the noun. N-스럽다 often goes with abstract nouns

사랑 (love ) -- 사랑스럽다 (lovable, adorable)
평화 (peace) -- 평화스럽다 (peaceful)
자연 (nature) -- 자연스럽다 (natural)
부담 (burden) --- 부담스럽다 (burdensome)
후회 (regret) -- 후회스럽다 (regretful)