xiàng
likeness; resemble; look as if
他长得像他爸爸。
tā zhǎng de xiàng tā bàba.
He looks like his father.
这件衣服像极了我的那件。
zhè jiàn yīfu xiàng jí le wǒ de nà jiàn.
This dress looks exactly like mine.
他说话像个大人。
tā shuōhuà xiàng gè dàrén.
He speaks like an adult.
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The Chinese character 像 (xiàng) is composed of two parts: 人 (rén), meaning "person," and 相 (xiāng), meaning "mutual" or "resemblance." The character 像 is a pictograph, depicting two people facing each other. This suggests that the original meaning of 像 was "to resemble" or "to be like."Over time, the meaning of 像 has expanded to include the idea of "image" or "representation." This is because an image is something that resembles the original object. For example, a painting is an image of a person, and a photograph is an image of a scene.The character 像 is also used in the sense of "to seem" or "to appear." This is because something that seems or appears to be something else is like that thing. For example, a person who seems to be happy is like a happy person.The character 像 is a versatile character with a rich history. It is used in a variety of contexts, and its meaning can vary depending on the context. However, the basic idea of "resemblance" or "representation" is always present.
