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:

像 as "just like"

Structure

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

Examples

  • 她 有时候 小孩 一样 天真 。She's as naive as a young kid is sometimes.
  • 这个 老外 的 汉语 中国人一样 地道 。This foreigner can speak Chinese as well as native speakers do.
  • 他 很 生气 , 疯子 一样 大 叫 起来 。He was very angry and started to scream like a lunatic.
  • 你 怎么 我 妈 一样 啰嗦 !Why do you sound as nagging as my mom does!

不像 as "not as ... as"

Structure

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

Examples

  • 上海 的 冬天 不 像 北京 那么 干 。The winter in Shanghai is not as dry as it is in Beijing.
  • 这 个 男 老师 不 像 那 个 女 老师 那么 严格 。This man teacher is not as strict as that woman teacher.
  • 不像 我 父母 那么 喜欢 省钱 。My parents like saving money but I'm not like them.
  • 中 西部 不像 东部 发展 得 那么 快 。The middle and west part hasn't developed as rapidly as the east part has.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5