The compound 'zen-like' is a modern English formation that combines the cultural import 'Zen' with the native adjectival suffix '-like'. 'Zen' entered English from Japanese, which borrowed it from the Chinese word 'Chán', itself a derivation from the Sanskrit 'dhyāna', meaning 'meditation' or 'contemplation'. The suffix '-like' has Germanic roots, originating from the Old English noun 'līc' (body, form), which evolved into a suffix denoting resemblance. Therefore, 'zen-like' literally means 'having the form or qualities of Zen', specifically evoking the serenity, mindfulness, and simplicity cultivated through Zen practice, and applying it metaphorically to any person, state, or object exhibiting similar calmness.

Structure: zen (Zen Buddhism) + like (resembling) zen: Japanese origin (from Chinese Chán, from Sanskrit dhyāna 'meditation'). A proper noun referring to a school of Mahayana Buddhism. like: Old English origin (līc 'body, form'; from Proto-Germanic līk-). A suffix-forming adjective meaning 'having the characteristics of; similar to'.