好像
HSK 3- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
好像 is used to express conjecture or comparison, carrying the meaning of "it seems like" or "it looks as if."
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 好像 when you want to express a guess or something uncertain, equivalent to "it seems," "it appears," or "it looks like" in English.
In addition, 好像 can also be used for comparisons, carrying the meaning of "just like." In this case, it may be paired with 一样 or 似的 at the end of the sentence to emphasize the similarity, though this is not required.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他好像生病了。Tā hǎoxiàng shēngbìng le.
He seems to be sick.
- 我好像在哪儿见过你。繁: 我好像在哪兒見過你。Wǒ hǎoxiàng zài nǎr jiàn guo nǐ.
I seem to have seen you somewhere before.
- 天好像要下雨了。Tiān hǎoxiàng yào xià yǔ le.
The weather looks like it's about to rain.
- 你好像不太高兴。繁: 你好像不太高興。Nǐ hǎoxiàng bú tài gāoxìng.
You don't seem very happy.
- 她高兴得好像个孩子。繁: 她高興得好像個孩子。Tā gāoxìng de hǎoxiàng ge háizi.
She was happy just like a child.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他生病了好像。Correct:他好像生病了。
好像 is an adverb and must come before the verb or adjective it modifies; it cannot stand at the end of a sentence.
- Wrong:他好像我的爸爸一样。Correct:他像我爸爸一样。
When comparing one person directly and definitively with another, 像 is more natural; 好像 typically implies conjecture or speculation.