gleichen

Gleichen is a German verb meaning to resemble or to be like. It is used to express similarity between two or more things or people. The common construction is to pair the verb with a dative object to indicate what is being resembled, for example: Er gleicht seinem Vater (He resembles his father).

In addition to its core sense of resemblance, gleicher can be used in contexts of comparing or simulating features, appearances, or circumstances. The expression is more about likeness than exact equality, and it is distinct from the mathematical sense of Gleichheit, which uses different terminology in German.

Etymology and related forms: Gleichen comes from the same root as the adjective gleich, meaning equal or similar. It is cognate with Dutch gelijken (to resemble) and with English liken (to make resemble). The verb has historical roots in the Germanic languages and shares semantic links with other words used to express likeness.

Grammar and usage notes: Gleichen is an irregular verb in its past forms. The preterite is glich, and the past participle is geglichen. It typically governs a dative object when indicating whom or what is being resembled. Examples: Sie gleicht ihrer Mutter. Der Plan gleicht dem Modell. In modern usage, the verb appears in literary or formal prose and is less common in everyday speech than simpler synonyms like ähneln or sich gleichen.

See also: Gleichheit, ähneln, liken, German verbs of resemblance.