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 Usage

Structure

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

Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 / 像+ Noun 2 + 一样

Examples

• 我 像 你 一样。I am like you.
• 他 的 性格像 他 妈妈 一样。She has the same temper as her mom.
• 啤酒 和 葡萄酒 一样 吗？Are beer and wine the same?
• 这里 的 天气 和 上海 一样。The weather here and the weather in Shanghai is the same.
• 北京 和 上海 一样 吗？Is Beijing and Shanghai alike?
• 这 句 话 的 意思 和 那 句 一样 吗？Is the meaning of that this sentence and that sentence the same?
• 这 本 书跟 那 本一样。This book and that book is the same.
• 你 跟 他 不 一样。You are not like him.
• 桔子跟 橙子 一样吗？Are tangerines and oranges the same?
• 美国 跟 英国 不 太 一样。America and England are not too similar.

Another Basic Usage

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.
• 他 的 性格像 他 妈妈 一样 差。
• 啤酒 和 葡萄酒 一样 好喝 吗？Are beer and wine the same?
• 这里 的 天气 和 上海 一样 热。
• 北京 和 上海 一样 大 吗？
• 这 本 书 跟 那 本一样 无聊。
• 我 跟 你一样 忙。
• 这 个 房间跟 那 个一样 大。

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