Basic comparisons with "yiyang"

Along with 比 (bǐ) and 没有 (méiyǒu), 一样 (yīyàng) is another way to make basic comparisons. However, rather than expressing that two things differ regarding a particular quality, 一样 (yīyàng) is used to express that two things are the same in some way.

Basic usage

Structure

The simple structure is used for stating that two things are equal:

Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样

Examples

• 北京 的 天气 和 上海 不 一样。 Běijīng de tiānqìhé Shànghǎi bù yīyàng. The weather in Beijing and the weather in Shanghai are not alike.
• 这 个 词 的 意思 和 那 个 词 一样 吗 ？ Zhè ge cí de yìsi hé nà ge cí yīyàng ma? Is the meaning of this word and that word the same?
• 美国 文化 跟 中国 文化 不 一样 。 Měiguó de wénhuà gēn Zhōngguó de wénhuà bù yīyàng. America culture and Chinese culture are not alike.
• 他 的 性格 跟 他 妈妈 一样 。 Tā de xìnggé gēn tā māma yīyàng. He has the same personality as his mom.
• 啤酒 的 味道 和 葡萄酒 一样 吗 ？ Píjiǔ de wèidào hé pútaojiǔ yīyàng ma? Are the taste of beer and the taste of wine the same?

一样 with Adjective

Structure

To add an adjective into the mix, just place it after 一样 (yīyàng):

Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 / 像 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adj.

This describes Noun 1 as being as adjective as Noun 2.

Examples

• 你家 跟 我家 一样 大 。 Nǐjiā gēn wǒjiā yīyàng dà. Your house is just as big as mine.
• 她 像 她妈妈 一样 漂亮。 Tā xiàng tā māma yīyàng piàoliang. She and her mother are equally beautiful.
• 小狗 像 小猫 一样 可爱 。 Xiǎogǒu xiàng xiǎomāo yīyàng kěài. Puppies and kittens are equally cute.
• 这里 的 天气 跟 我 老家 一样 舒服。 Zhèlǐ de tiānqì gēn wǒ lǎojiā yīyàng shūfu. The weather here is just as comfortable as my hometown.
• 你 怎么 跟 老板 一样 忙？Nǐ zěnme gēn lǎobǎn yīyàng máng? How could you be as busy as the boss?

See also

• Basic comparisons with "bi"
• Basic comparisons with "meiyou"
• Comparing

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 55) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 244) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (p. 108) →buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 跟 and 比