As if, like: 像……一样 / 似的
助词 / particles
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
(好)像 + N/clause + 一样 / 似的 (+ Adj / V)
For a vivid comparison: 像……一样 or 像……似的 (shìde) = "like, as if".
- 她的笑容像阳光一样温暖 (her smile is as warm as sunshine).
- 他高兴得像个孩子似的 (he's as happy as a child).
似的 is more spoken and can be used without 像: 他好像什么都知道似的 (he acts as if he knows everything). These phrases are very common in stories.
Examples
那天的雪下得像棉花一样。
Nà tiān de xuě xià de xiàng miánhua yíyàng.That day the snow fell like cotton.
小猫的眼睛像两颗星星似的。
Xiǎo māo de yǎnjing xiàng liǎng kē xīngxing shìde.The kitten's eyes were like two stars.
他跑得飞快，好像后面有人追他似的。
Tā pǎo de fēikuài, hǎoxiàng hòumiàn yǒu rén zhuī tā shìde.He ran like the wind, as if someone were chasing him.
Common mistakes
✗ 像……一样似的 → pick one.
✗ Reading 似的 as "sìde" → ✓ shìde.
✗ 她很像花一样漂亮。 → ✓ 她像花一样漂亮。