像…似的
like; as if
Structure
像／好像 名词／小句 似的 动词／形容词
What it means
“Like” or “as if”: it paints a picture by comparing something to an image. 似的 is said shì de, not sì de.
How it is built
像／好像 + noun or clause + 似的, placed before a verb or adjective, after 得, or before a noun: 他高兴得像个孩子似的 (he was as happy as a child).
When to use it
像…似的 = “like”; 好像…似的 = “as if”; 跟 or literary 仿佛 (lesson 1-13) can also open it. To say two things are equal in some measure, use 跟…一样 (他跟我一样高).
Watch out
✗ 像孩子一样似的。 ✓ 像孩子似的 or 像孩子一样. Do not stack 一样 and 似的. And read 似的 as shì de.
Examples
元宵像滚雪球似的越滚越大。
The yuanxiao grow bigger and bigger, like a rolling snowball.
他高兴得像个孩子似的，又唱又跳。
He was as happy as a child, singing and dancing.
天一下子黑了，好像要下大雨似的。
The sky suddenly went dark, as if a downpour was coming.
Learn this in Lesson 41 · HSK 5–6: 元宵、七夕与重阳 (The smaller festivals)
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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