Difference between に似た and と似た

[Fuubuu]

Is there a difference in using に vs と?
For example:
彼の経歴は私の経歴と似たところがある
vs
彼の経歴は私の経歴に似たところがある
Thank you!

 

[Majestic]

I think in most cases they are interchangeable. When 似る is combined with 合う to form 似合う you wouldn't use と. But I think in the case you gave above, the meaning is virtually the same no matter which particle you use.

 

[Fuubuu]

Thank you!

 

[raikado]

I think there is some difference. The way I learned them, と emphasizes mutuality, while に is more one-sided.
AはBに似ている = "A looks like B"
AはBと似ている = "A looks like B (and B looks like A)"

For example, a situation where と can't be used is when you say "My sister looks like Angelina Jolie." The relationship is not really mutual because you would never say "Angelina Jolie looks like my sister.".

 

[mdchachi]

My wife also thinks there is some slight difference. She explained it and I promptly didn't retain it. It had to do with the coverage of what was 似ている. I pictured a Venn diagram. This is the kind of thing I don't bother "learning" any more. Either I pick it up or I don't.

 

[Toritoribe]

Another example that に is not appropriate is "a child looks like their parents/grandparents". For instance, you can hardly say お母さんはお子さんにそっくりですね.