Chinese word

像样

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàng yàng

Meaning

  • adjectivedecent

Example

你这次做得像样吗？nǐ zhè cì zuò de xiàng yàng ma

Did you do a decent job this time?

Illustration for 像样 (decent)

More examples

他的收入还不像样。tā de shōu rù hái bú xiàng yàng

His income is still not decent.

Core concept

Something that passes a basic standard and looks presentable rather than makeshift.

Common phrases

  • 说得像样shuō de xiàng yàng

    speak properly

  • 像样的收入xiàng yàng de shōu rù

    decent income

Similar words

不错bú cuò: Good enough to be viewed favorably and not fall below expectations.
合格hé gé: Meeting a required standard and being accepted as passing.
体面tǐ miàn: Maintaining a respectable appearance and proper form in public.
过得去guò de qù: Acceptable despite falling short in some ways.

Definition in Chinese

外表或做法达到基本规格，不粗糙也不出格，看上去合格或有体面。wài biǎo huò zuò fǎ dá dào jī běn guī gé bù cū cāo yě bù chū gé kàn shàng qù hé gé huò yǒu tǐ miàn

Word origin

像 (xiàng, "resemble") + 样 (yàng, "appearance") refers to having an appearance that fits an expected form, which gives the word its sense of acceptable quality.

Usage tips

  • 像样 (xiàngyàng, "decent-looking") can express approval for meeting expectations or mild criticism when a result falls below them, depending on the surrounding tone.

Other meanings

  • respectableadjective

Opposites

  • 不成样子bù chéng yàng zinot decentadjective

Word lists with this word