Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 好像
This lesson will guide you through the three main uses of 好像 (hǎoxiàng):
- Subjective speculation (似乎 – It seems).
- Analogy or comparison (好比 – As if / Like).
- Perception-based (听起来 / 看起来 – It sounds like / It looks like).
SUBJECTIVE SPECULATION
好像 is used to express subjective speculation, uncertainty, or something that appears to be true but is not confirmed.
It’s a synonym for 似乎 (sì hū), which also means it seems but is more formal than 好像.
似乎 is commonly used in writing, formal speech, and literary works, whereas 好像 is used in everyday Chinese and is informal or neutral.
Key Characteristics:
➡️ Expresses uncertainty or tentative observation.
➡️ Similar to it seems like or it looks like in English.
➡️ Often used to describe perceptions or assumptions based on incomplete information.
PATTERN #1
好像 + [Clause / Statement]
PATTERN #2
[Subject] + 好像 + [Verb / Adjective]
天好像要下雨了。
It seems like it’s going to rain.他今天好像不太高兴。
He doesn’t seem very happy today.View More Examples:
| 我好像见过这个人。 | Wǒ hǎoxiàng jiànguò zhège rén. | I think I have seen this person before. |
| 你的手机好像没电了。 | Nǐ de shǒujī hǎoxiàng méi diàn le. | It seems like your phone is dead. |
| 这个问题好像很难解决。 | Zhège wèntí hǎoxiàng hěn nán jiějué. | This problem seems difficult to solve. |
| 她今天好像没有来学校。 | Tā jīntiān hǎoxiàng méiyǒu lái xuéxiào. | It seems like she didn’t come to school today. |
| 我们的计划好像出了点问题。 | Wǒmen de jìhuà hǎoxiàng chūle diǎn wèntí. | It seems like there’s a problem with our plan. |
| 他好像喜欢上了新同事。 | Tā hǎoxiàng xǐhuān shàngle xīn tóngshì. | He seems to have developed feelings for the new colleague. |
Compare 好像 and 似乎
| 好像 (hǎoxiàng) | 似乎 (sìhū) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | It seems like / It looks like / As if | It seems / It appears |
| Tone | Informal, conversational, neutral | Formal, literary |
| Usage | Common in spoken Chinese, everyday conversations | Common in written Chinese, formal speech, and literary works |
View Examples:
| 这件事似乎很复杂。 | Zhè jiàn shì sìhū hěn fùzá. | This matter seems complicated. |
| 他似乎知道这个秘密。 | Tā sìhū zhīdào zhège mìmì. | He seems to know the secret. |
| 他们的关系似乎变得紧张了。 | Tāmen de guānxì sìhū biàn dé jǐnzhāng le. | Their relationship seems to have become tense. |
| 她似乎没有注意到我。 | Tā sìhū méiyǒu zhùyì dào wǒ. | She didn’t seem to notice me. |
ANALOGY OR COMPARISON
好像 can also be used to make a comparison or draw an analogy, suggesting that something resembles or is like something else.
It’s also a synonym for another Chinese word: 好比 (hǎo bǐ) which means as if/like but is slightly less commonly used than 好像。
Usually, we use 好比 to make a clear, strong, and direct analogy, and 好像 to express a weaker, subjective, or tentative resemblance.
她跳舞好像一只蝴蝶。
She dances as if she were a butterfly.他唱歌好像一位专业歌手
He sings like a professional singer.View More Examples:
| 孩子们好像没见过雪一样。 | Háizimen hǎoxiàng méi jiànguò xuě yīyàng. | The kids are acting like they’ve never seen snow before. |
| 她的微笑好像能照亮整个房间。 | Tā de wēixiào hǎoxiàng néng zhàoliàng zhěnggè fángjiān. | Her smile is like it could light up the whole room. |
| 他看着我好像在想什么事情。 | Tā kànzhe wǒ hǎoxiàng zài xiǎng shénme shìqíng. | He looks at me as if he’s thinking about something. |
| 她说话的方式好像她的母亲。 | Tā shuōhuà de fāngshì hǎoxiàng tā de mǔqīn. | She talks like her mother. |
| 这座城市的夜景好像一幅画。 | Zhè zuò chéngshì de yèjǐng hǎoxiàng yī fú huà. | The city’s night view is like a painting. |
| 他的态度好像不太认真。 | Tā de tàidù hǎoxiàng bù tài rènzhēn. | His attitude is as if he’s not taking it seriously. |
PERCEPTION-BASED
好像 is used to express an impression based on what you see or hear, often indicating uncertainty.
You can use it in conjunction with 听起来 / 看起来 (tīng qǐ lái / kàn qǐ lái ), which means It Sounds Like / It Looks Like.
听起来你好像感冒了。
It sounds like you have a cold.看起来他好像很累。
It looks like he’s very tired.View More Examples:
| 这道菜好像很辣。 | Zhè dào cài hǎoxiàng hěn là. | This dish looks like it’s very spicy. |
| 听起来他们好像吵架了。 | Tīng qǐlái tāmen hǎoxiàng chǎojià le. | It sounds like they had an argument. |
| 看起来外面好像要下雪了。 | Kàn qǐlái wàimiàn hǎoxiàng yào xià xuě le. | It looks like it’s going to snow outside. |
| 听起来老板好像不太满意。 | Tīng qǐlái lǎobǎn hǎoxiàng bù tài mǎnyì. | It sounds like the boss isn’t very happy. |
| 看起来这个项目好像很复杂。 | Kàn qǐlái zhège xiàngmù hǎoxiàng hěn fùzá. | This project looks quite complicated. |
| 听起来她好像得了奖。 | Tīng qǐlái tā hǎoxiàng déle jiǎng. | It sounds like she won an award. |
Key Takeaways:
➡️ 好像 for speculation is often followed by facts or assumptions about reality.
➡️ 好像 for analogy introduces a comparison or resemblance, often using vivid imagery.
➡️好像 for perception conveys an impression based on what you see or hear, expressing uncertainty or deduction.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS
好比
[speal 好比] is used to draw a direct analogy or metaphor, often describing one thing as being like or comparable to another.
Key Characteristics:
➡️ Stronger and more definitive than 好像.
➡️ Often used in literary or formal contexts.
➡️ Highlights a clear analogy between two things: A 好比 B (A is like B)
PATTERN
[Subject] + 好比 + [Metaphorical Concept]
人生好比一场旅行。
Life is like a journey.View More Examples:
| 人生好比一场旅行。 | Rénshēng hǎobǐ yī chǎng lǚxíng. | Life is like a journey. |
| 爱情好比一杯酒，既甜又苦。 | Àiqíng hǎobǐ yī bēi jiǔ, jì tián yòu kǔ. | Love is like a glass of wine, both sweet and bitter. |
| 他好比一棵大树，保护着家人。 | Tā hǎobǐ yī kē dà shù, bǎohù zhe jiārén. | He is like a big tree, protecting his family. |
| 学习汉语好比攀登高山。 | Xuéxí Hànyǔ hǎobǐ pāndēng gāoshān. | Learning Chinese is like climbing a mountain. |
| 友谊好比一条小船，需要我们共同努力。 | Yǒuyì hǎobǐ yī tiáo xiǎochuán, xūyào wǒmen gòngtóng nǔlì. | Friendship is like a small boat that needs mutual effort. |
| 他的工作态度好比一个职业运动员。 | Tā de gōngzuò tàidù hǎobǐ yī gè zhíyè yùndòngyuán. | His work attitude is like that of a professional athlete. |
| 生活中的困难好比风雨，总会过去。 | Shēnghuó zhōng de kùnnán hǎobǐ fēngyǔ, zǒng huì guòqù. | Life’s difficulties are like storms; they will eventually pass. |
| 这个城市的夜景好比一幅画。 | Zhège chéngshì de yèjǐng hǎobǐ yī fú huà. | The night view of this city is like a painting. |
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FAQs
What is the meaning of 好像 in Chinese?
好像 means “it seems” or “it looks like” and is used to express uncertainty or speculation.
How do you use 好像 in a sentence?
Example:
他好像不太高兴。
He seems unhappy.
Can 好像 be used with verbs and adjectives?
Yes, 好像 can be followed by verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses.
好像要下雨了。 It seems like it’s going to rain.
Is 好像 formal or informal?
好像 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, making it a versatile expression.
What is the difference between 好像 and 似乎?
好像 is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation, while 似乎 is slightly more formal and literary.
Can I take Chinese classes with LTL?
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