semblable/sɑ̃.blabl/
adjective / noun · A2 · Frequency 5091
adjective
Meanings
similar, alike
Typically used with the preposition ‘à’ to mean ‘similar to’. Used to describe people or things that share certain characteristics or features.
Examples
Son parcours est semblable au mien.
His background is similar to mine.
Nous avons choisi un modèle semblable pour le nouveau bureau.
We chose a similar model for the new office.
Le résultat est semblable à celui de l'année dernière.
The result is similar to last year's.
Collocations
- un phénomène semblablea similar phenomenon
Common mistakes
semblable à lui
semblable à lui-même
‘semblable à lui’ is inaccurate; the correct expression is ‘semblable à lui-même’, meaning ‘similar to himself’.
Related words
synonymsimilairesimilar
antonymdissemblabledissimilar, unlike
nouncommon
Meanings
something or someone that belongs to the same kind or species
Used as a noun to refer to something or someone of the same kind, often in a general sense.
similar or alike
Used as an adjective to describe two or more objects that share similarities in certain respects; a common usage.
Examples
Chaque semblable mérite le même respect.
Every fellow being deserves the same respect.
Il cherche un semblable avec qui partager ses expériences.
He is looking for someone like himself with whom to share his experiences.
Dans ce village isolé, il ne trouve aucun semblable.
In this isolated village, he finds no one like himself.
Collocations
- son semblablehis fellow being
Common mistakes
un semblable de lui
un semblable à lui
The noun ‘semblable’ should be followed by the preposition ‘à’ to mean ‘similar to’; using ‘de’ is incorrect.
semblable avec
semblable à
The adjective ‘semblable’ should be followed by the preposition ‘à’ rather than ‘avec’.
Related words
adjective
Meanings
similar, alike
Typically used with the preposition ‘à’ to mean ‘similar to’. Used to describe people or things that share certain characteristics or features.
Examples
Ces deux modèles sont semblables par leur taille et leur couleur.
These two models are similar in size and color.
Nos expériences sont semblables, malgré quelques différences importantes.
Our experiences are similar despite a few important differences.
Les maisons du quartier sont semblables, mais chacune a son propre jardin.
The houses in the neighborhood are alike, but each one has its own garden.
nouncommon
Meanings
something or someone that belongs to the same kind or species
Used as a noun to refer to something or someone of the same kind, often in a general sense.
similar or alike
Used as an adjective to describe two or more objects that share similarities in certain respects; a common usage.
Examples
Les semblables se reconnaissent souvent à leurs habitudes.
Those of the same kind are often recognized by their habits.
Dans ce musée, les semblables sont regroupés dans la même salle.
In this museum, similar objects are grouped in the same room.
Les enfants cherchent leurs semblables lorsqu'ils arrivent dans une nouvelle école.
Children look for others like themselves when they arrive at a new school.