German word

ähneln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛːnəln/

Meaning

  • verblook like

Example

Er ähnelt seinem Vater.

He looks like his father.

Illustration for ähneln (look like)

More examples

Der Vorschlag ähnelt der Beschreibung.

The proposal looks like the description.

Core concept

Two people share noticeable features while remaining distinct.

Common phrases

  • jemandem ähneln

    look like someone

  • der Beschreibung ähneln

    look like the description

  • dem Vorbild ähneln

    look like the model

Similar words

aussehen: Look similar in outward appearance, such as dress or facial features.
wirken: Give a particular impression through behavior or facial expression.
verwechseln: Wrongly identify one person or thing as another because of similar looks.

Definition in German

jemandem/etwas in bestimmten Eigenschaften ähnlich sein; das Verb verlangt den Dativ.

Word origin

Ähneln is formed from the adjective ähnlich with the German verb-forming suffix -eln.

Usage tips

  • Ähneln takes a dative complement: Er ähnelt seinem Vater, not *Er ähnelt seinen Vater.

Opposites

  • sich unterscheidendifferverb
  • abweichendeviateverb

Related words

Word lists with this word