Comparing 一样 (to be alike)

Learn how to express similarity and comparison in Chinese using 跟…一样 patterns

Basic Pattern: A 跟 B 一样 (SV)

Grammar Explanation: To express “two things or two persons having the same features”, insert 跟 (gēn) between the two items being compared, and follow them with 一样 (yíyàng). Stative verbs can be added after 一样 to indicate in what way two items are similar.

This pattern is equivalent to English “as…as…” or “the same as…” constructions.

A + 跟 + B + 一样 + SV

Item A

First item

跟

gēn

Item B

Second item

一样

yíyàng

Stative Verb

Example Sentences

Structure	Chinese	Translation
A 跟 B 一样 SV	香蕉跟苹果一样贵。 Xiāngjiāo gēn píngguǒ yíyàng guì.	The bananas are as expensive as the apples.
A 跟 B 一样 SV	中国人跟美国人一样友好。 Zhōngguórén gēn měiguórén yíyàng yǒuhǎo.	Chinese people are as friendly as Americans.
A 跟 B 一样 SV	今天的天气跟昨天一样热。 Jīntiān de tiānqì gēn zuótiān yíyàng rè.	The weather today is as hot as it was yesterday.

跟 (gēn)

Function: Comparison connector

Meaning: With, and, as (comparison)

Usage: Connects the two items being compared

A 跟 B

A compared to B

Can be replaced with 和 (hé) in some contexts

一样 (yíyàng)

Function: Similarity marker

Meaning: Same, identical, alike

Usage: Indicates the two items are similar

跟…一样

as…as…, same as…

Literally means “one kind/same kind”

Visual Comparison Structure

🍌

香蕉

Bananas

Item A

跟

🍎

苹果

Apples

Item B

一样

💰

贵

Expensive

Stative Verb

The structure compares Item A to Item B, stating they are the same in terms of the stative verb (SV).

Simple Pattern: Items + (Adverb) + 一样

Grammar Explanation: A similar pattern can be used when there is no need to be specific about the items being compared. An adverb can be added before 一样 to state how similar or different the items are.

This pattern is simpler and more general than the full comparison structure.

2+ Items + (Adverb) + 一样

Items

2+ things/people

Adverb

(Optional)

一样

yíyàng

Example Sentences

Structure	Chinese	Translation
Items 一样	我们的手机一样。 Wǒmen de shǒujī yíyàng.	Our phones are the same.
Items 很不一样	那两个国家的文化很不一样。 Nà liǎnggè guójiā de wénhuà hěnbù yíyàng.	The cultures of those two countries are very different.
Items 差不多一样	这三个酒吧差不多一样。 Zhè sāngè jiǔbā chàbùduō yíyàng.	These three clubs are more or less the same.

 Common Adverbs Used with 一样很 (hěn)
Very
很一样
Very similar
很不 (hěn bù)
Very not
很不一样
Very different
差不多 (chàbùduō)
More or less
差不多一样
More or less the same
完全 (wánquán)
Completely
完全一样
Exactly the same
不太 (bù tài)
Not very
不太一样
Not very similar
几乎 (jīhū)
Almost
几乎一样
Almost the same

Pattern Comparison

Detailed Comparison Pattern

Structure: A 跟 B 一样 (SV)

香蕉跟苹果一样贵。

Xiāngjiāo gēn píngguǒ yíyàng guì.

Bananas are as expensive as apples.

Specific comparison with details

General Similarity Pattern

Structure: Items (+Adverb) 一样

这些水果一样。

Zhèxiē shuǐguǒ yíyàng.

These fruits are the same.

General statement of similarity

Key Difference: The detailed pattern specifies WHAT is being compared and HOW they are similar, while the simple pattern makes a general statement about similarity.

Question Forms

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Usage Tips & Common Mistakes

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Practice Exercises

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Comparing 一样 (to be alike)

Comparing 一样 (to be alike)

1 Basic Pattern: A 跟 B 一样 (SV)

Example Sentences

跟 (gēn)

一样 (yíyàng)

Visual Comparison Structure

2 Simple Pattern: Items + (Adverb) + 一样

Example Sentences

Common Adverbs Used with 一样

Pattern Comparison

Question Forms

Usage Tips & Common Mistakes

Practice Exercises

Basic Pattern: A 跟 B 一样 (SV)

Simple Pattern: Items + (Adverb) + 一样