similar in spirit; strikingly similar
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
similar in spirit or essence; true to life in capturing inner quality
Commonly used in art, painting, and performance criticism to describe works that capture the inner spirit or essence of the subject rather than just external appearance. Often contrasted with 形似 (similar in form).
Tā他
huà画
de的
chóng虫
niǎo鸟
，
xǔ栩
xǔ栩
rú如
shēng生
，
shí十
fēn分
shén神
sì似
。
The insects and birds he painted are lifelike and strikingly true to life.
Zhè这
wèi位
yǎn演
yuán员
mó模
fǎng仿
Zhuō卓
Bié别
Lín林
，
bù不
jǐn仅
xíng形
sì似
，
ér而
qiě且
shén神
sì似
。
This actor imitates Chaplin, being similar not only in appearance but also in spirit.
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Zhè这
fú幅
xiào肖
xiàng像
suī虽
rán然
bǐ笔
fǎ法
jiǎn简
lüè略
，
dàn但
shí十
fēn分
shén神
sì似
。
Although this portrait is sketchy in brushwork, it captures the spirit very well.
Mó模
fǎng仿
gǔ古
rén人
xiě写
zì字
，
guì贵
zài在
shén神
sì似
，
bù不
zài在
xíng形
sì似
。
When imitating ancient calligraphy, the value lies in capturing the spirit, not just the form.