似乎
sì hū HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他似乎很忙。
Tā sìhū hěn máng.
He seems very busy.
这个决定似乎不对。
Zhège juédìng sìhū bù duì.
This decision seems wrong.
她似乎认识那个人。
Tā sìhū rènshi nàge rén.
She seems to know that person.
他似乎很累。
Tā sìhū hěn lèi.
He seems very tired.
天似乎要下雨。
Tiān sìhū yào xià yǔ.
It seems like it's going to rain.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 似 (sì) means 'similar to,' and 乎 (hū) is a classical particle often used in questions or exclamations. Think of it as 'similar to... huh?' to capture the uncertain, questioning tone.

📝 Usage Notes

It is neutral in tone, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese in formal and informal contexts. Commonly used to soften statements, express doubt, or describe appearances in narratives, discussions, or observations.

📖 Grammar Points

Often placed before a verb or adjective in a sentence (e.g., 他似乎很累 - He seems tired). It can be used with 是 to form '似乎是' (seems to be). Unlike 好像, it rarely introduces a simile directly.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, using 似乎 can convey politeness or hesitation, avoiding direct assertions, which aligns with cultural tendencies toward indirectness and humility in some contexts.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 好像 (hǎoxiàng), which also means 'seem like,' but 似乎 is slightly more formal and literary, while 好像 is more common in speech. 仿佛 (fǎngfú) is another synonym, but it's more poetic and less frequent in everyday use.

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