Basic comparisons with "yiyang"

As well as with 比 (bǐ) and 没有 (méiyǒu), 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 (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

  • 一样gēnyīyàng. I am like you.
  • 他 的 性格 他 妈妈 一样Tā de xìnggé gēn tā māma yīyàng. He has the same personality as his mom.
  • 啤酒 葡萄酒 一样 吗 ? Píjiǔ pútaojiǔ yīyàng ma? Are beer and wine the same?
  • 这里 的 天气 上海 一样Zhèlǐ de tiānqì Shànghǎi yīyàng. The weather here and the weather in Shanghai are the same.
  • 北京 上海 一样 吗 ? Běijīng Shànghǎi yīyàng ma? Are Beijing and Shanghai alike?
  • 这 句 话 的 意思 那 句 一样 吗 ? Zhè jù huà de yìsi nà jù yīyàng ma? Is the meaning of this sentence and that sentence the same?
  • 这 本 书 那 本 一样Zhè běn shū gēn nà běn yīyàng. This book and that book are the same.
  • 他 不 一样gēn tā bù yīyàng. You are not like him.
  • 桔子 橙子 一样 吗 ? Jú zi gēn chéngzi yīyàng ma? Are tangerines and oranges the same?
  • 美国 英国 不 一样Měiguó gēn Yīngguó bù yīyàng. America and England are not alike.

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 + Adjective

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

Examples

  • 一样 高 。 gēnyīyàng gāo. You and I are the same height.
  • 他们 我们 一样 酷 。 Tāmen wǒmen yīyàng kù. They are as cool as we are.
  • 小狗 小猫 一样 可爱 。 Xiǎogǒu xiàng xiǎomāo yīyàng kěài. Puppies and kittens are equally cute.
  • 他 的 性格 他 妈妈 一样 好 。 Tā de xìnggé xiàng tā māma yīyàng hǎo. His personality is as good as his mother's.
  • 啤酒 葡萄 酒 一样 好喝 吗 ? Píjiǔ pútao jiǔ yīyàng hǎohē ma? Are beer and wine equally good to drink?
  • 这里 的 天气 上海 一样 热 。 Zhèlǐ de tiānqì Shànghǎi yīyàng rè. The weather here is just as hot as Shanghai.
  • 北京 上海 一样 大 吗 ? Běijīng Shànghǎi yīyàng dà ma? Are Beijing and Shanghai equally big?
  • 这 本 书 那 本 一样 无聊 。 Zhè běn shū gēn nà běn yīyàng wúliáo. This book and that book are equally boring.
  • 一样 忙 。 gēnyīyàng máng. I am just as busy as you.
  • 这 个 房间 那 个 一样 大 。 Zhè gè fángjiān gēn nà gè yīyàng dà. This apartment is just as big as that apartment.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites