〜も同然だ: meaning and usage

How to form it

• noun+（も）同然だ
• verb (ta-form)+も同然だ
• noun/verb (ta-form)+も同然の+noun

How it is used

Says something is not literally A but practically the same: 'as good as A', as in 「ただも同然」 (practically free) or 「決まったも同然」. Stronger than a simile with 「〜のようだ」: the effect is the same.

Examples

1. 田中さんは歌がうまくてプロ同然だ。

   Ms. Tanaka's good at singing; she's as good as a pro.

2. 三点も差があるから、この試合はもう勝ったも同然だ。

   We're three points ahead, so this game is as good as won.

3. この自転車はほとんど乗っていないから、新品も同然だ。

   I've hardly ridden this bike, so it's as good as new.