像……似的 for “As If” and “Like”

Pattern

像 / 好像 / 跟 + noun or clause + 似的

像 opens the comparison and 似的 closes it: 像没听见似的 means “as if he hadn’t heard”.

他像没听见似的，一句话也没说。

When to use 像……似的 for “As If” and “Like”

似的 (shìde) goes at the end of a comparison and means “as if” or “like”. The comparison is usually opened by 像 or 好像 (in casual speech also 跟): 像 + noun or clause + 似的. The chunk says what something resembles or seems to be, as in 他像没听见似的 “he acted as if he hadn’t heard”; to say two things are really the same, use 一样 instead.

她高兴得像个孩子似的。

She was as happy as a child.

才下午三点，天就黑得像晚上似的。

It’s only 3 p.m., but it’s as dark as night.

他好像什么都知道似的。

He acts as if he knows everything.

他像小孩子似的哭了起来。

He started crying like a little kid.

Common traps

Write 似的, not 似得: 得 is the complement marker that comes before the comparison, as in 高兴得像个孩子似的.
Say shìde, not sìde: 似 is read sì only in words like 似乎.
Use 一样 for real sameness: 我们的看法一样, not 我们的看法似的.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

他像没听见，没有回答

He did not answer, as if he had not heard

shì de

Meanings

as if; like (closes a comparison)

Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

When to use 像……似的 for “As If” and “Like”

Common traps

Targeted drill

Keep this pattern in review.