ähneln

ähneln is a German verb meaning to resemble or to look like. It covers both physical likeness and more abstract similarities, such as behavior, style, or opinions. The sense is usually descriptive rather than intentional imitation, which distinguishes ähneln from verbs like nachahmen or imitieren.

Grammatical note: ähneln is intransitive and typically takes a dative object for the person or thing being resembled. The subject is what resembles, while the entity it resembles is in the dative. Examples: Der Junge ähnelt seinem Vater. Der Stil ähnelt dem des Designers. When two things resemble each other, one can say: Sie ähneln sich.

Etymology and related terms: The verb derives from the adjective ähnlich (similar) and is linked to the noun Ähnlichkeit (likeness). Synonyms include gleichen and ähnlich sein, though gleichent meaning to correspond or to be alike can carry slightly different nuances. For deliberate copying or imitation, nachahmen or imitieren are more appropriate.

Usage notes: ä hneln is commonly used to describe resemblance in appearance, facial features, height, or other observable traits, as well as in character or manner. In figurative contexts, it can describe similarities in taste, opinions, or behavior. A common stylistic note is that ähneln conveys natural likeness rather than conscious copying, and it is usually followed by a dative noun phrase (einem Vater, dem Designer, etc.).