German word

gleichen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈglaɪ̯çn̩/

Meaning

  • verblook like

Example

Sein Gesicht gleicht dem seines Bruders.

His face looks like his brother's.

Illustration for gleichen (look like)

More examples

Auf Fotos gleichen Vater und Sohn sich oft.

In photos, father and son often look alike.

Core concept

Two things line up in their defining features, whether a face resembles another or one person matches another's level.

Common phrases

  • einem Foto gleichen

    look like a photo

  • seinem Bruder gleichen

    look like his brother

  • dem Bild gleichen

    look like the picture

Similar words

ähneln: To resemble another person or thing in appearance, character, or general qualities.
aussehen wie: To have an outward appearance similar to another person or thing.

Definition in German

bei jemandem oder etwas Ähnlichkeit zeigen; in Merkmalen übereinstimmen.

Word origin

Gleichen comes from Middle High German gelîchen and belongs to the inherited Germanic word family of gleich, expressing likeness or equality.

Usage tips

  • The person or thing that serves as the comparison takes the dative, as in Sein Gesicht gleicht dem seines Bruders.

Other meanings

  • equalverb
  • rivalverb

Opposites

  • sich unterscheidendifferverb

Related words

Word lists with this word