似的

• Pinyin: shì de
• Hanzi breakdown: 似 = 亻(person) + 以 (by means of), meaning to resemble; 的 = 白 (white) + 勺 (spoon), grammatical particle

Meaning

Similar to; like; as if. A particle used to express resemblance or comparison.

A structural particle placed after a noun, verb phrase, or clause to indicate similarity or resemblance. Often used in the patterns 像...似的 or 跟...似的. Common in spoken and written Chinese for vivid comparisons.

Examples

1. 她高兴得像个孩子似的跳了起来。 She jumped up happily like a child.
2. 外面冷得跟冬天似的。 It's as cold outside as if it were winter.
3. 他跑得飞一样似的，一下子就不见了。 He ran like the wind and disappeared in an instant.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, literature

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他紧张得发抖似的站在台上。(He stood on stage trembling as if from nervousness.)
• 今天热得跟夏天似的。(Today is as hot as summer.)

Don't Say

• 他似的很高兴。(Don't use 似的 as a standalone verb — it must follow a comparison phrase like 像...似的 or 跟...似的.)

Origin & History

From 似 (to resemble) plus the structural particle 的. Has been used as a comparison marker since classical Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal