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像 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
像
xiàng
to resemble
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
to be like
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
to look as if
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
such as
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
appearance
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
image
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
portrait
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
image under a mapping (math.)
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像
xiàng
picture, image, figure; to resemble
HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
xiàng(xiang4)xiang T4
1to resemble
2to be like
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
像xiàng(xiang4)
The character 像 (xiàng) primarily means 'to resemble' or 'to be like.' It is commonly used in contexts where one thing is compared to another, expressing similarity in appearance or quality. This word can also refer to images or portraits, making it versatile in both literal and figurative language.
Strokes13Radical亻Frequency#89DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of resemblance holds significance in familial contexts, often used to describe how children resemble their parents, reflecting cultural values on lineage and heritage. Portraits and images of ancestors are also common in Chinese homes, linking to the word's meaning.
Memory tip
Imagine a giant statue (像) that looks just like your favorite celebrity. The character includes the radical for person (亻) on the left, reminding you that it’s about likeness or resemblance involving people or figures. The pronunciation 'xiàng' sounds like 'sang,' as in 'sang a song that resembles my life story.'
Meanings of 像
xiàng(xiang4)
1to resemble
2to be like
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 像 means.
About 像
像Simplified
13Strokes
亻Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#89Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 像
Podcast: 像
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AI study notes for 像
Quick Contrast
像 (xiàng) vs 类似 (lèisì) — use 像 for direct resemblance in appearance or quality, while 类似 emphasizes similarity in nature or characteristics.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 像 with similar words that indicate 'similarity,' such as 类似 (lèisì). It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also be used in more formal comparisons. Common collocations include '像…一样' (xiàng... yīyàng) meaning 'to be like...'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 像 connects well with other vocabulary focusing on descriptions and comparisons. Students should practice forming sentences that describe similarities, using 像 with adjectives and nouns. Pay attention to its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 像 when they want to express 'similar to' without direct comparison. For example, saying '我像喜欢这个' (Wǒ xiàng xǐhuān zhège) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège) meaning 'I like this.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 像
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Example
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Knowing 像 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
像 = 亻 + 象. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 像
IDS Structure⿰亻象
像Full character
=
亻ren2
left
象xiang4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 像?
How to say to resemble in Chinese
“to resemble” in Chinese is像xiàng
The character 像 (xiàng) primarily means 'to resemble' or 'to be like.' It is commonly used in contexts where one thing is compared to another, expressing similarity in appearance or quality. This word can also refer to images or portraits, making it versatile in both literal and figurative language.
When to use 像
Be careful not to confuse 像 with similar words that indicate 'similarity,' such as 类似 (lèisì). It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also be used in more formal comparisons. Common collocations include '像…一样' (xiàng... yīyàng) meaning 'to be like...'.
像 or something close to it
像 (xiàng) vs 类似 (lèisì) — use 像 for direct resemblance in appearance or quality, while 类似 emphasizes similarity in nature or characteristics.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 像 when they want to express 'similar to' without direct comparison. For example, saying '我像喜欢这个' (Wǒ xiàng xǐhuān zhège) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个' (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège) meaning 'I like this.'
Write 像
像
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Practice writing 像 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 像
像 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Daydreams may seem to be rehearsals for real-life situations.
vto be like6
11
她的声音听起来像小鸟的叫声。
Tā de shēngyīn tīng qǐlái xiàng xiǎo niǎo de jiàoshēng.
Her voice sounds like a bird's song.
12
他长得像他的哥哥。
Tā zhǎng de xiàng tā de gēge.
He looks like his brother.
13
我觉得今天的天气像春天一样温暖。
Wǒ juéde jīntiān de tiānqì xiàng chūntiān yīyàng wēnnuǎn.
I feel that today's weather is warm like spring.
14
她的声音听起来像小鸟的叫声。
Tā de shēngyīn tīng qǐlái xiàng xiǎo niǎo de jiàoshēng.
Her voice sounds like a bird's song.
15
他长得像他的哥哥。
Tā zhǎng de xiàng tā de gēge.
He looks like his brother.
16
我觉得今天的天气像春天一样温暖。
Wǒ juéde jīntiān de tiānqì xiàng chūntiān yīyàng wēnnuǎn.
I feel that today's weather is warm like spring.
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Word Family of 像
Words containing this character20
像xiàngto resemble
好像hǎoxiàngas if
偶像ǒuxiàngidol
录像lùxiàngto videotape錄像
像素xiàngsùpixel
图像túxiàngimage圖像
影像yǐngxiàngimage
摄像shèxiàngto videotape攝像
摄像机shèxiàngjīvideo camera攝像機
头像tóuxiàngportrait頭像
神像shénxiàngimage of a God
录像带lùxiàngdàivideo cassette錄像帶
摄像头shèxiàngtóuwebcam攝像頭
雕像diāoxiàngsculpture
成像chéngxiàngimaging
音像yīnxiàngaudio and video
画像huàxiàngportrait畫像
像样xiàngyàngdecent像樣
想像xiǎngxiàngto imagine
肖像xiàoxiànglikeness
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 像
What does 好像 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 像
You can say '他像他的父亲' (Tā xiàng tā de fùqīn) which means 'He resembles his father.'
Yes, 像 can also compare inanimate objects or abstract concepts, for example, '这本书像那本书一样好' (Zhè běn shū xiàng nà běn shū yīyàng hǎo), meaning 'This book is as good as that book.'
No, 像 can be used for both positive and negative comparisons depending on the context.
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