gleichen
to resemble
To be very similar to someone or something in appearance, qualities, or nature. The verb is used with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Sohn gleicht seinem Vater aufs Haar.
The son resembles his father exactly.
gleichen
to resemble
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Meanings
Usage tips
Dative construction
The verb 'gleichen' (to resemble) always requires an object in the dative. You ask: 'Wem gleicht die Person?' (Whom does the person resemble?). A common mistake is using the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie gleicht ihrer Mutter sehr.
She resembles her mother very much.
Word family
'Gleichen' (to resemble) is the verb related to the adjective 'gleich' (same, equal). It describes that someone or something is 'gleich' (similar/equal) to another person or thing in their qualities.
EXAMPLE
Kein Tag gleicht dem anderen.
No day is like another.
Reflexive use
When two subjects are being compared with each other, the verb is often used reflexively: 'sich gleichen' (to resemble each other). The two subjects are then plural or connected with 'und' (and).
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Schwestern gleichen sich sehr.
The two sisters resemble each other very much.
Compare with
gleichen vs ähneln
to resemble
Gleichen and ähneln both describe similarity and are used with the dative. Gleichen usually sounds stronger and somewhat more formal; ähneln also allows for partial similarity. So gleichen is often appropriate when the similarity is very strong, while ähneln is more suitable when there are only a few shared features.
gleichen
Auf dem alten Foto gleicht der Sohn seinem Vater fast vollständig.
In the old photo, the son looks almost exactly like his father.
ähneln
Auf dem neuen Foto ähnelt der Sohn seinem Vater nur um die Augen.
In the new photo, the son only resembles his father around the eyes.
In real life
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