神似 (shén shì) — to resemble closely in spirit or essence (rather than in appearance)

Definition

Used when something captures the spirit or essence of an original, not just its outward form. Often paired with 形似, which describes similarity in appearance.

adjective
to resemble closely in spirit or essence (rather than in appearance)

Examples

  • ，神似。
    Zhè fú huà suī rán jiǎn dān, dàn fēi cháng shén shì.
    This painting is simple, but it captures the spirit perfectly.
  • 神似。
    Tā de biǎo yǎn hé yuán bǎn rén wù hěn shén shì.
    His performance closely resembles the original character in spirit.
  • 神似。
    Zhè ge fǎng zhì pǐn xíng sì ér shén shì bù zú.
    This imitation looks similar but lacks the spiritual resemblance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

神shénspirit
似sìresemble

神 (spirit) + 似 (resemble) gives a close likeness in essence rather than surface.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénhuman
Sound part声符shēngfú
以
以yǐ似sì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

似 pairs 亻 (human) with 以, which gives the sound.

Open 似 →

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