酷似

• Pinyin: kù sì
• Hanzi breakdown: 酷 = 酉 (wine jar) + 告 (tell) — extreme; 似 = 亻(person) + 以 — resemble

Meaning

To closely resemble; to look strikingly like. A strong resemblance in appearance.

Used to describe when one person or thing bears a striking resemblance to another. Stronger than 像 or 相似. Often used for physical appearance but can extend to behavior or style.

Examples

1. 这个孩子酷似他父亲年轻时的样子。 This child looks strikingly like his father did when young.
2. 这幅赝品酷似原作，一般人很难分辨。 This forgery closely resembles the original — most people can't tell the difference.
3. 她的声音酷似那位已故的歌手。 Her voice sounds remarkably like that of the late singer.

Usage Guide

Context: description, comparison, art

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 他酷似他的双胞胎兄弟。(He looks strikingly like his twin brother.)
• 这个仿制品酷似真品。(This replica closely resembles the original.)

Don't Say

• 用酷似形容轻微的相似，如'有点酷似'。(Don't use 酷似 for slight resemblance — it means striking similarity; use 有点像 for slight resemblance)

Origin & History

Compound of 酷 (extremely/very) + 似 (resemble). 酷 here is an intensifier meaning 'extremely.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal