好像
seem, look as if; be like
Structure
主语 + 好像 + 动词／形容词／句子 · 好像 + 名词
What it means
Says what something looks like to you when you are not sure: “it seems, I think”. Before a noun it means “be like”.
How it is built
Subject + 好像 + verb/adjective/clause: 他好像不太高兴 (He doesn’t seem very happy). Before a noun, often with 一样: 王明好像哥哥一样.
When to use it
It makes what you say less sure: 外边好像下雨了. It is built on 像 “to look like” (h2-12) and goes after the subject or before a whole clause.
Watch out
Don’t mix it up with 以为, a belief that turned out wrong. 我好像见过你 = I think I’ve seen you; 我以为他是老师 = I thought he was a teacher (he isn’t).
Examples
他好像不太高兴。
He doesn’t seem very happy.
外边好像下雨了。
It looks like it’s raining outside.
我好像在哪儿见过你。
I feel I’ve seen you somewhere before.
王明对大卫好像哥哥一样。
Wang Ming is like a big brother to David.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 21: 小时候 (Childhood)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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