Basic comparisons with "yiyang"

As well as with 比 and 没有, there is a third way to make basic comparisons: with 一样 (yīyàng).

Rather than expressing that two things differ regarding a particular quality, 一样 is used to express that two things are the same in some way.

Basic Structure

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

Subject + 跟 / 和 / 像+ Noun + 一样

Examples

• 我 像 你 一样。I am like you.
• 啤酒 和 葡萄酒 一样 吗？Are beer and wine the same?
• 美国 跟 英国 不 太 一样。America and England are not too similar.

Structure with Adjective

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

Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 / 像 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adjective

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

Examples

• 你 跟 我 一样 高。You and me are the same height.
• 他们 和 我们 一样 酷。They and us are equally cool.
• 小狗 像 小猫 一样 可爱。Puppies and kittens are equally cute.

See also

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

Sources and further reading

Books

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

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 跟 and 比