HSK 4
其他助词:似的
qí tā zhù cí : shì de
The particle 似的 (sìde)
Explanation
似的 (shìde) is a particle (a function word added to a sentence to express a grammatical meaning, with no independent meaning of its own) used for comparison, meaning 'like... indeed', 'as if...'. It always comes at the END of the comparison.
it usually goes together with 像 (xiàng, to resemble) or 跟 (gēn, with) in front: 像 + noun + 似的, or 跟 + noun + 似的, or 好像 (hǎoxiàng, as if) + clause + 似的. For example 像画儿似的 like a painting; 跟中国人似的 just like a Chinese person.
when making a comparison, saying that a thing/action resembles another in shape, degree, or state.
似的 (shìde) and 一样 (yíyàng, the same) both make comparisons, but 似的 carries the nuance of 'roughly, as if' and always comes at the end; 一样 carries the more definite meaning of 'exactly the same'.
forgetting the 像/跟/好像 at the beginning; or placing 似的 not at the end of the comparison phrase. Note that the character 似 here is read shì (not sì as in 似乎).
Examples
The two of them act as if they had never met before.
The scenery here is as beautiful as a painting.
He speaks Chinese just like a Chinese person.
Practice
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Learn “其他助词:似的” effectively
The grammar point “其他助词:似的” (The particle 似的 (sìde)) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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