好像

• Pinyin: hǎo xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 好 = 女 (woman) + 子 (child); 像 = 亻 (person) + 象 (elephant, phonetic)

Meaning

To seem; to be like; as if. Used to express that something appears to be a certain way, or to make a tentative observation.

Can function as an adverb meaning 'seemingly' or 'apparently,' or as a verb meaning 'to resemble.' Often used to soften statements or express uncertainty. In spoken Chinese, 好像 is extremely common for hedging or making polite guesses.

Examples

1. 他好像不太高兴。 He doesn't seem very happy.
2. 外面好像下雨了。 It seems like it's raining outside.
3. 这个地方好像我来过。 This place seems like somewhere I've been before.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: tentative

Do Say

• 她好像生病了。(She seems to be sick.)
• 你好像忘了带钥匙。(It seems like you forgot to bring your keys.)

Don't Say

• 他好像一定会来。(Don't combine 好像 with 一定 — 好像 expresses uncertainty while 一定 expresses certainty. Choose one or the other.)

Origin & History

Compound of 好 (good, well) and 像 (to resemble), together meaning 'as if resembling' or 'it seems like.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal