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像 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
像xiàngto resembleHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngto be likeHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngto look as ifHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngsuch asHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngappearanceHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngimageHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngportraitHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngimage under a mapping (math.)HSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
像xiàngpicture, image, figure; to resembleHSK 3, v, 13 strokes, radical 亻, rank #89, Medium
xiàng(xiang4) T4
  1. 1to resemble
  2. 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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 像

像Simplified
13Strokes
亻Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#89Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 像

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Podcast: 像

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

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.

Memory Mnemonic

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.'

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.

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.

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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Etymology of 像

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 象 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

person

Semantic (meaning)亻
+
Phonetic (sound)象
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 像?

Decomposition of 像

IDS Structure⿰亻象
像Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
象xiang4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 像?

Write 像

像

Practice writing 像 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他好____不太高兴。

He does not seem too happy.

Example Sentences for 像 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我认为像慢跑、举重这样的运动不符合自然规律。

wǒ rèn wéi xiàng màn pǎo、 、 jǔ zhòng zhè yàng de yùn dòng bù fú hé zì rán guī。

I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
2
有时事情并不像我们认为的那样发展。

yǒu shí shì qíng bìng bù xiàng wǒ mén rèn wéi de nà yàng fā zhǎn。

Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they're going to.
3
为什么像大学这样人才济济的社区要害怕虚无主义呢？

wéi shí mó xiàng dà xué zhè yàng rén cái jì jì de shè qū yào hài pà xū wú zhǔ yì ne？

Why should a great community like a university be afraid of nihilism?
4
就好像是你的意见、你的好恶根本不重要似的。

jiù hǎo xiàng shì nǐ de yì jiàn、 、 nǐ de hǎo è gēn běn bù zhòng yào sì。

It's as if your opinions, your likes and dislikes just don't count.
5
你可以上下左右移动摄像机。

nǐ kě yǐ shàng xià zuǒ yòu yí dòng shè xiàng jī。

You can move the camera both vertically and horizontally.
6
就好像你以前连门都见过一样！

jiù hǎo xiàng nǐ yǐ qián lián mén dū jiàn guò yī yàng！

You'd think you had never seen a door before!
7
“我想就像你一样。”她大声喊道。

“ “ wǒ xiǎng jiù xiàng nǐ yī。” yàng 。” tā dà shēng。

"I want to be just like you", she bursts out.
8
尝起来像是假的，但是就这个价格你还想指望什么？

cháng qǐ lái xiàng shì jiǎ de， ， dàn shì jiù zhè gè jià gé nǐ huán xiǎng zhǐ wàng shí？

It tastes artificial, but at that price what can you expect?
9
不幸的是，奶奶好像总是醒来的不是时候。

bù xìng de shì， ， nǎi nǎi hǎo xiàng zǒng shì xǐng lái de bù shì shí。

Unfortunately, Grandma always seems to awaken at awkward moments.
10
白日梦可能像是真实情景的预演。

bái rì mèng kě néng xiàng shì zhēn shí qíng jǐng de yù yǎn。

Daydreams may seem to be rehearsals for real-life situations.

Cultural Notes for 像

🏮Cultural insight

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.

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pixel
图像túxiàngimage圖像
影像yǐngxiàngimage
摄像shèxiàngto videotape攝像
摄像机shèxiàngjīvideo camera攝像機
头像portrait頭像
神像image of a God
录像带video cassette錄像帶
摄像头webcam攝像頭
雕像sculpture
成像imaging
音像yīnxiàngaudio and video
画像portrait畫像
像样xiàngyàngdecent像樣
想像to imagine
肖像xiàoxiànglikeness
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 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.'