像样

• Pinyin: xiàng yàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 像 = 亻 + 象 (person + elephant — to resemble); 样 = 木 + 羊 (wood + sheep — pattern/style/appearance)

Meaning

Proper; decent; presentable; up to standard. Meeting a reasonable level of quality or acceptability.

A colloquial yet widely used expression indicating that something meets an acceptable standard of quality, appearance, or behaviour. Often used in the negative form 不像样 to criticise something as substandard, improper, or embarrassing. It implies conformity to social expectations rather than excellence.

Examples

1. 这次展览的布置终于像样了，比上次简陋的陈设有了很大的改善与进步。 The setup for this exhibition finally looks presentable—it’s a big improvement over the bare-bones display last time.
2. 他工作了十年才存够钱，在市中心买了一套像样的公寓，结束了多年的漂泊租房生活。 He worked for ten years before saving enough to buy a decent apartment in the city center, ending years of drifting from one rental to another.
3. 举办如此重要的商务宴请，一定要选一家装潢和菜品都像样的高档餐厅，以示尊重。 For such an important business banquet, you must choose an upscale restaurant with tasteful decor and high-quality dishes to show respect.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, evaluation, social standards

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 都这个年纪了，应该有一份像样的工作，不能再这样浑浑噩噩地混日子了。(At this age, you should have a decent job — you can't keep drifting along aimlessly like this.)
• 好不容易请来了这位贵宾，饭菜一定要像样，不能让人觉得我们待客不周失了礼数。(We went to great lengths to invite this distinguished guest — the food must be presentable; we cannot let people feel we were inconsiderate or lacking in hospitality.)

Don't Say

• 他的工作表现非常像样 — in positive contexts 像样 means merely passable or decent, not admirable; for excellent performance use 出色, 优秀, or 令人满意 instead

Origin & History

像 (to resemble/look like) + 样 (appearance/style/standard) — looking like the proper form or meeting the expected standard

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal