Comparing specifically with "xiang"

像 (xiàng) is used to compare a specific characteristic of two things or people, and can be used in the following structure:

Positive meaning with "像"

Structure

Noun 1 + 像 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adj. / Verb

Noun 1 + 像 + Noun 2 + 这么 / 那么 + Adj. / Verb

Examples

  • 你 怎么 我 妈 一样 啰嗦!Why do you sound as nagging as my mom does!
  • 他 生气 的 时候 会 疯子 一样 大 叫。He would scream like a lunatic when he gets angry.
  • 这 个 男 老师 不 那 个 女 老师 那么 严格。This man teacher is not as strict as that woman teacher.

Negative meaning with "不像"

When you use

Structure

Noun 1 + 不 + 像 + Noun 2 + 这么 / 那么 + Adj. / Emotional Verb

Examples

  • 这 个 男 老师 不 那 个 女 老师 那么 严格。This man teacher is not as strict as that woman teacher.
  • 我们 不 那么 喜欢 小孩。.
  • 这 个 男 老师 不 那 个 女 老师 那么 严格。This man teacher is not as strict as that woman teacher.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5