好像

[*サンティ*Santi*]

Hi!

While studying from the second book of 新实用汉语课本, I've learned the word 好像, but don't understand why in all the examples the words appears with 是。

好像是前门
好像是陈老师

 

[xiaolijie]

好像 normally is not a verb. Although it may look like a verb through some English translations, it's an adverb, 是 therefore is needed in your sentences.

However, 好像 can sometimes be used as a verb. Think of it as being made up of the verb 像, modified by 好.

 

[SuperXW]

好像 normally is not a verb. Although it may look like a verb through some English translations, it's an adverb, 是 therefore is needed in your sentences.

However, 好像 can sometimes be used as a verb. Think of it as being made up of the verb 像, modified by 好.

Agreed.

Verb phrase好像: Often mean "looks much like".
好像陈老师 without 是 often mean "(the person) looks like teacher Chen"

Adverb好像: More abstract. Often mean "maybe".
e.g. 好像是陈老师 often mean "maybe it is teacher Chen"
That's why 是 is needed here.

P.S. The question itself reminds me the English usage of "maybe" and "may be"...