xiàng HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他像爸爸。
Tā xiàng bàba.
He resembles his father.
这个像苹果。
Zhège xiàng píngguǒ.
This looks like an apple.
她像小猫。
Tā xiàng xiǎo māo.
She is like a kitten.
他像我。
Tā xiàng wǒ.
He resembles me.
这像苹果。
Zhè xiàng píngguǒ.
This looks like an apple.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 像 as 'Xiang'—imagine a person saying 'I am Xiang (像) my dad' to remember it means 'to be like.' The character includes 人 (person) and 象 (elephant), picturing an elephant-like person to symbolize resemblance.

📝 Usage Notes

像 is neutral in tone and used in both spoken and written Chinese across formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in comparisons, descriptions, and analogies, such as in family discussions, literary descriptions, or everyday conversations about similarities.

📖 Grammar Points

像 is typically used in the structure 'A 像 B' to show A resembles B. It can be modified with adverbs like 很 (very), 更 (more), or 不 (not), as in '很像' (very similar) or '不像' (not similar). It also appears in similes with '像...一样' (like...), e.g., '他跑得像风一样快' (He runs as fast as the wind).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, saying someone 像 a family member is a common compliment, emphasizing familial bonds and heritage. It's often used positively to acknowledge traits passed down through generations, though context matters to avoid unintended comparisons.

🔄 Similar Words

像 is often compared with 好像 (hǎoxiàng), which can mean 'seems like' or 'as if' and is used for less certain resemblances or similes. While 像 directly states similarity, 好像 adds a layer of uncertainty or figurative comparison, e.g., '他好像生气了' (He seems angry).

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