01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
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 erinnern
to remember / remind
'erinnern an' (to be reminiscent of) and 'ähneln' (to resemble) can both express that you see a connection between two people or things. The difference is in the perspective: 'ähneln' says directly that two people or things are similar. It is used with the dative: 'Sie ähnelt ihrer Mutter' (She resembles her mother). 'erinnern an' says more that something triggers a memory or comparison in your mind. The things do not necessarily have to be strongly similar. Learners can confuse the words because both can fit when talking about similarity. As a guide: if you are describing the similarity itself, use 'ähneln'. If you want to say what something makes you think of, use 'erinnern an'.
ähneln
Im Büro ähnelt der neue Plan stark dem Vorschlag vom letzten Jahr.
At the office, the new plan strongly resembles last year's proposal.
erinnern
Dieses alte Lied erinnert mich an den Sommer bei meinen Großeltern.
This old song reminds me of the summer at my grandparents' house.
In real life
Loading video examples...