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像xiàngto resemble; to be like

HSK 3word

By Chinese Copilot · Last updated

像 (xiàng) means "to resemble," "to be like," or "to look as if." Use it as a verb when one person or thing looks similar to another, as in 他很像他爸爸. It can also introduce a comparison that something seems a certain way. Noun readings such as portrait are outside this everyday verb focus.

What does 像 mean?

  1. 1.

    to resemble; to be likeverb

  2. 2.

    to look as ifverb

What does the character 像 mean?

  • 像to resemble; to be like

How do you use 像?

Grammar patterns

  1. 1

    Noun 1 + 像 + Noun 2 (+ 一样 + Adj.)

    Use 像 between two nouns to say the first resembles the second; you can add 一样 plus an adjective for "just like … in that way."

像 as a verb often sits between two nouns to say A looks like B; negate with 不: 不像.

Patterns

  • 很像 + Noun

    他很像他爸爸。

    Tā hěn xiàng tā bàba.

    He really looks like his dad.

  • 不像 + Noun

    他不像他朋友。

    Tā bù xiàng tā péngyou.

    He does not look like his friend.

  • 像 + Noun + 一样 + Adj.

    我像你一样好。

    Wǒ xiàng nǐ yīyàng hǎo.

    I am as good as you.

What are some examples of 像 in a sentence?

  1. HSK 1

    他很像他爸爸。

    Tā hěn xiàng tā bàba.

    He really looks like his dad.

  2. HSK 1

    你像你妈妈。

    Nǐ xiàng nǐ māma.

    You look like your mom.

  3. HSK 1

    他不像他朋友。

    Tā bù xiàng tā péngyou.

    He does not look like his friend.

  4. HSK 3

    我像你一样好。

    Wǒ xiàng nǐ yīyàng hǎo.

    I am as good as you. / I'm good just like you.

How is 像 different from 是?

是 says what someone is. 像 says someone looks like or resembles someone or something. 他是老师 names the role; 他像老师 says he resembles a teacher.

Only 像 fits here

他很像他爸爸。

Tā hěn xiàng tā bàba.

He really looks like his dad.

How is 像 used in a conversation?

  1. Speaker A:

    他像谁？

    Tā xiàng shéi?

    Who does he look like?

  2. Speaker B:

    他很像他爸爸。

    Tā hěn xiàng tā bàba.

    He really looks like his dad.

  3. Speaker A:

    你像你妈妈吗？

    Nǐ xiàng nǐ māma ma?

    Do you look like your mom?

  4. Speaker B:

    不像，我像爸爸。

    Bù xiàng, wǒ xiàng bàba.

    No, I look like Dad.

  5. Speaker A:

    他像他朋友一样好吗？

    Tā xiàng tā péngyou yīyàng hǎo ma?

    Is he as good as his friend?

  6. Speaker B:

    是，他很好。

    Shì, tā hěn hǎo.

    Yes, he is very good.

Can you use 像 correctly?

0 of 3 answered
  1. 1.Fill in the blank: 他很___他爸爸。
  2. 2.Which sentence means he looks like his dad?
  3. 3.Fill in the blank: 他不___他朋友。

What should you learn next?

Related words

Browse every entry in the Chinese word dictionary.

English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.