相似

• Pinyin: xiāng sì
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 (tree) + 目 (eye); 似 = 亻 (person) + 以 (by means of, phonetic)

Meaning

Similar; alike; resembling. Describes things that share common features.

Used to describe resemblance in appearance, character, situation, or other qualities. More formal than 像 or 差不多. Often used with 非常 (very), 十分 (extremely), or in the pattern A和B很相似 (A and B are very similar).

Examples

1. 这两个孩子长得非常相似。 These two children look very similar.
2. 他们的想法很相似，所以很容易合作。 Their ideas are very similar, so it is easy for them to work together.
3. 这两种语言有很多相似的地方。 These two languages have many similarities.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, description, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你们两个的性格很相似。(The two of you have very similar personalities.)
• 这个和上次的情况相似。(This is similar to the situation last time.)

Don't Say

• 这两个完全相似。(If two things are identical, use 一样 or 相同, not 相似. 相似 implies resemblance but not exact sameness.)

Origin & History

相 means 'mutually' or 'each other' and 似 means 'to resemble'. Together they describe a mutual resemblance between things.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal