一样

一样 (yíyàng) is the standard Chinese word for 'the same, alike, identical', used to compare two or more things. The classic pattern is A 跟 / 和 B 一样 ('A is the same as B'), often followed by an adjective: 他跟我一样高 ('he is the same height as me'). Two things English speakers often miss.

First, 一样 functions as a comparison adjective — to negate, say A 跟 B 不一样 ('A is different from B'). Second, 一样 also works adverbially after a noun phrase to mean 'like, as if': 像孩子一样 ('like a child'), 一样开心 ('equally happy'). Tone change: 一 is read yí (second tone) because it precedes the fourth-tone 样