Chinese Grammar: 似的 (shìde) – Expressing Similarity

Learn how to use 似的 to express “like” or “as if” in Chinese. Intermediate level.

Basic Structure of 似的

似的 (shìde) is used at the end of a phrase or clause to express similarity: “like …”, “as if …”, “as though …”. It is often used with 像, 好像, 仿佛, 跟, or 和.

Common patterns:

像 / 好像 / 仿佛 + Noun / Clause + 似的
跟 / 和 + Noun + 似的
… 似的 directly after a noun or verb phrase in some colloquial expressions.

Subject + 像 / 好像 / 仿佛 / 跟 / 和 + Noun / Clause + 似的

Similarity Visualization

Actual State

他疯了

He is crazy

Literal meaning

像
like / as if

Simile / Comparison

他像疯了似的

He is like crazy

Expresses similarity with 似的

Basic Examples

Structure	Chinese Sentence	English Translation
S + 像 + Noun + 似的	他像孩子似的。 tā xiàng háizi shìde.	He is like a child.
S + 好像 + Clause + 似的	她好像没听见似的。 tā hǎoxiàng méi tīngjiàn shìde.	She looked as if she hadn’t heard.
S + 跟 + Noun + 似的	天上跟下火似的。 tiānshàng gēn xiàhuǒ shìde.	It’s as if fire is falling from the sky.
S + 仿佛 + Clause + 似的	他仿佛什么都知道似的。 tā fǎngfú shénme dōu zhīdào shìde.	He acts as if he knows everything.

Key Grammar Points

1. 似的 goes at the end

似的 always appears at the end of the simile clause:

他像孩子似的。

It cannot be placed before the noun.

2. Often with 像 / 好像 / 仿佛 / 跟 / 和

似的 is usually paired with one of these markers:

像 … 似的
好像 … 似的
仿佛 … 似的
跟 / 和 … 似的

Usage Notes and Variations

似的 is very common in spoken Chinese. It can follow a noun, a verb phrase, or a full clause. Below are the main usage types and important notes.

像 … 似的

像 means “like” or “resemble”; 似的 completes the simile.

他像孩子似的。

tā xiàng háizi shìde

He is like a child.

她像疯了似的。

tā xiàng fēngle shìde

She is like crazy.

好像 … 似的

好像 means “seemingly” or “as if”; it adds uncertainty.

他好像生病了似的。

tā hǎoxiàng shēngbìngle shìde

He looks as if he is sick.

她好像没听见似的。

tā hǎoxiàng méi tīngjiàn shìde

She looked as if she hadn’t heard.

跟 / 和 … 似的

跟 / 和 mean “with” or “like” here; both are used with 似的.

天上跟下火似的。

tiānshàng gēn xiàhuǒ shìde

It’s as if fire is falling from the sky.

他跟我欠他钱似的。

tā gēn wǒ qiàn tā qián shìde

He acts as if I owe him money.

仿佛 … 似的

仿佛 is more literary; it means “as if”.

他仿佛什么都知道似的。

tā fǎngfú shénme dōu zhīdào shìde

He acts as if he knows everything.

时间仿佛停住了似的。

shíjiān fǎngfú tíngzhùle shìde

Time seemed to have stopped.

似的 vs 是的

似的 (shìde) means “like / as if”. 是的 (shìde) is a different word meaning “yes / that’s right”. They have the same pinyin but different characters and meanings. Pay attention to the context.

他像孩子似的。

He is like a child. (似的)

是的，我同意。

Yes, I agree. (是的)

Important Notes

1. Position of 似的

似的 is placed after the thing being compared, not before:

✓ 他像孩子似的。

✗ 他像似的孩子。

2. Omitting 像

In very colloquial speech, 像 can sometimes be omitted, but 似的 remains:

他孩子似的。

He is like a child. (colloquial)

Standard pattern includes 像/好像/etc.

3. With 一样

似的 and 一样 both express similarity, but 似的 emphasizes “as if” and often implies a comparison in manner.

他像孩子一样。

He is like a child. (一样)

他像孩子似的。

He is like a child. (似的, more colloquial)

4. Negative form

Negation is usually placed before the verb inside the clause:

他好像不认识我似的。

He looks as if he doesn’t know me.

Comparison: 似的 vs 一样

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Practice Exercises

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似的 (shìde)

似的 (shìde)

1 Basic Structure of 似的

Similarity Visualization

Basic Examples

Key Grammar Points

2 Usage Notes and Variations

像 … 似的

好像 … 似的

跟 / 和 … 似的

仿佛 … 似的

似的 vs 是的

Important Notes

1. Position of 似的

2. Omitting 像

3. With 一样

4. Negative form

3 Comparison: 似的 vs 一样

Practice Exercises

Basic Structure of 似的

Usage Notes and Variations

Comparison: 似的 vs 一样