像

xiàng
HSK 5
#294 most
frequent character
(look) like, similar (to), appearance
verb
adjective

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

像 pairs 亻 person with 象 xiàng, which supplies the sound. Imitating is something people do, giving the first meaning, 'to imitate.' It grew to 'resemble' and 'appearance.'

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Example Sentences

他看起来像一个老师。
tā kànqǐlái xiàng yígè lǎoshī 。
He looks like a teacher.
这幅画像我小时候的照片。
zhè fú huàxiàng wǒ xiǎo shíhòu de zhàopiān 。
This painting is similar to my childhood photo.
你说的像我以前听过的故事。
nǐ shuōde xiàng wǒ yǐqián tīng guòde gùshì 。
What you said seems like a story I heard before.

Grammar Points

HSK 5
Comparing specifically with "xiang"
HSK 4
Expressing "it seems" with "haoxiang"
HSK 5
Comparing "kanqilai" and "kanlai"
Expressing "stuff like that" with "zhileide"像…之类的

Words with similar meanings

相似xiāngsì
similar
This word emphasizes a close resemblance in characteristics.
看上去kànshàngqù
to seem
This phrase suggests a surface observation of appearance.

Homophones

HSK 6
项xiàng
neck, sum, funds
HSK 6
巷xiàng
lane, alley
相xiàng
appearance, portrait, picture
象xiàng
elephant, shape, form, appearance

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Public Lists with 像

HSK 5
All words for the HSK 5 test