similar
Definitions
Resembling something else without being identical; nearly the same
相似的，类似的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsimilis (like) + -ar (adjective) = 'having likeness.' The core 'likeness' word of the whole root: not identical (that would be same), but resembling.
Root sim still carries 56 more wordsUsage Guide
- Pairs with to: similar to something (not 'similar with' or 'similar as').
- Modify degree with very/strikingly/broadly, not 'much similar.'
- Note: similar = alike but distinct; same = identical. 'Similar cars' are two different cars; 'the same car' is one car.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Our two phones look similar but run on different systems.
- 2.
She and her sister have very similar voices.
- 3.
We faced a similar problem last year.
Easily Confused
similar vs same — same means identical (one and the same thing); similar means alike but not identical (different things that resemble each other). 'They drive the same car' = literally one shared car; 'they drive similar cars' = two different cars that look alike.