似 (shì) — used in 似的 (shì de) 'like, as if, -like'

Definition

似 (shì) only appears as a bound form in the colloquial ending 似的, meaning 'like, as if' (e.g. 像疯了似的). Don't use it on its own — pair it with 像, 跟, or 像…一样 for a comparison.

bound form

used in 似的 (shì de) 'likeas if-like'

Easily confused

Examples

。
Tā xiàng fēng le shì de.
He is acting as if he's crazy.
。
Tā kū dé gēn xiǎo hái shì de.
She cried like a child.
。
Tiān qì lěng dé xiàng dōng tiān shì de.
The weather is as cold as winter.

Origin

Sound + meaning

六书liùshū

形声xíngshēng

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

亻以似

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.

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