Definition

Adjective: * Somewhat similar, bearing a slight resemblance: Describes a state or quality of having a likeness or similarity to something else, but not identical; it implies a lesser degree of resemblance than the base word "giống" (to resemble).

Usage

• "Giông giống" is used to make a comparative statement, indicating that one thing or person shares some characteristics with another, but the similarity is not exact or complete. It often softens the comparison.
• It functions as a predicate adjective, typically following the verb "trông" (to look) or "có vẻ" (to seem), or directly after the subject.
• Example structure: A trông giông giống B (A looks somewhat like B).

Usage Examples

• (Her new hairstyle looks somewhat similar to that of a famous actress.)
• (His accent seems somewhat like the accent of people from the Central region.)
• (This shirt is somewhat similar to the one I bought last week.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• "Giông giống" is a reduplicative form (từ láy) of the base adjective "giống". In Vietnamese, reduplication often modifies the meaning of the root word, here indicating a reduced intensity. Therefore, "giông giống" means "a little bit like" or "vaguely similar," whereas "giống" alone means "to resemble" or "to be like" with a stronger sense of likeness.
• It can sometimes carry a slightly informal or colloquial tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Giống (verb/adjective): To resemble, to be like; similar.
  • Con mèo này giống con mèo của tôi. (This cat is like my cat.)
• Tương tự (adjective): Similar, analogous (more formal).
  • Hai phương pháp này tương tự nhau. (These two methods are similar.)
• Hơi giống (phrase): Slightly similar (a near-synonymous phrase).
  • Bức tranh này hơi giống bức tranh kia. (This painting is slightly similar to that one.)

Synonyms

• Hơi giống (slightly similar)
• Có nét giống (has a resembling feature)
• Tựa tựa (colloquial for somewhat alike)

Antonyms

• Khác biệt (different)
• Khác hẳn (completely different)
• Đối lập (opposite)

1. xem giống (láy)