ähneln
to resemble
To be similar to someone or something in appearance, character, or qualities. It is always used with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Sohn ähnelt seinem Vater sehr.
The son resembles his father very much.
ähneln
to resemble
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Meanings
Usage tips
Dative construction
This verb always takes the dative. The person or thing that someone or something is similar to is in the dative. A common mistake is using the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Deine Augen ähneln denen deiner Großmutter.
Your eyes resemble your grandmother's.
Word family
The verb 'ähneln' (to resemble) belongs to the word family of 'ähnlich' (similar). If you know that 'ähnlich' means 'similar', you can easily derive the meaning of 'ähneln' as 'to be similar to'.
EXAMPLE
Die Architektur der beiden Städte ähnelt sich sehr.
The architecture of the two cities is very similar.
Reciprocal use
When two people or things are similar to each other, the reciprocal form 'sich ähneln' (to resemble each other) is often used. The subject is then plural.
EXAMPLE
Die Zwillinge ähneln sich kaum.
The twins hardly resemble each other.
Compare with
ähneln vs ähnlich
similar
“Ähnlich” is an adjective and describes the state of two people or things being similar. “Ähneln” is a verb and forms the predicate itself; the person or thing being compared with is in the dative. Choose “sein” or “ähneln” depending on the sentence structure.
ähneln
Das Porträt ähnelt seiner Schwester sehr.
The portrait closely resembles her sister.
ähnlich
Das Porträt ist seiner Schwester sehr ähnlich.
The portrait is very similar to her sister.
In real life
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