Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

makiNG ComPariSoNS

33.1

33.1.2 indicating that all noun phrases are the same

When a noun phrase refers to multiple entities (for example, ‘houses,’ ‘dogs,’ ‘two books,’ etc.),

use this pattern to say that all of the entities are the same.

NP 一样/一樣 yīyàng

NP identical/same

这两本书一样。

這兩本書一樣。

Zhè liǎng běn shū yīyàng.

These two books are identical.

这三个菜一样吗？

這三個菜一樣嗎？

Zhè sān gè cài yīyàng ma?

Are these three dishes the same?

C33.2.2

33.1.3 indicating that noun phrases share a property

To indicate that two noun phrases are alike in a particular property, say the following:

NP 1 跟/和 NP 2 一样 AV

NP 1 跟/和 NP 2 一樣 AV

NP 1 gēn/hé NP 2 yīyàng AV

NP 1 and NP 2 identical/same AV

我儿子跟/和我女儿一样高。

我兒子跟/和我女兒一樣高。

Wǒ érzi gēn/hé wǒ nǚ’ér yīyàng gāo.

My son and my daughter are the same height. (equally tall)

小狗和小猫一样可爱。

小狗和小貓一樣可愛。

Xiǎogǒu hé xiǎomāo yīyàng kě’ài.

Puppies and kittens are equally cute.

C33.2.3

33.1.4 indicating resemblance

To indicate that one noun phrase resembles another noun phrase, say:

NP 1 像 NP 2

NP 1 xiàng NP 2

NP 1 looks like NP 2 (NP 1 resembles NP 2 )

他像他爸爸。

Tā xiàng tā bàba.

He resembles his dad.

他像法国人吗？

他像法國人嗎？

Tā xiàng Fǎguórén ma?

Does he look like a French person?

or