How to Write 像 (xiàng) — Meaning “to resemble; like; image; statue”

Imagine "a person (亻) standing next to an elephant (象)" — the elephant looks just like the person, so they "resemble" each other. This silly picture links the parts to the meaning "to resemble" or "like."

Keep the left radical 亻 very narrow so the right part 象 has enough space. The right side 象 has 12 strokes: first write the top (刀-like), then the mouth 口, then the bottom 豕 but note the order — don’t add extra hooks. A common mistake is making the left and right sides equal width, which looks unbalanced.

像 (xiàng) uses 象 (elephant/shape) on the right, meaning "resemble" or "image." 偃 (yǎn) has 匽 (a component meaning "to hide") giving it meanings like "to lie down." 假 (jiǎ) contains 叚 (related to borrowing/false), so it means "false" or "to borrow." Visually, the right side of 像 is clearly 象, while the others look different.

像 is common in comparisons — 好像 (hǎo xiàng) means "seems like" or "as if" — and for physical images like 雕像 (diāoxiàng, statue). A cultural note: 像章 (xiàng zhāng) refers to badges with a portrait, especially the famous Mao badges worn during the Cultural Revolution in China.

Common words containing 像 include: 好像 (hǎo xiàng) — seem; like; as if; 像章 (xiàng zhāng) — badge (with a portrait); 录像 (lù xiàng) — To record a video; video recording.