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March 24, 2026
如rú(ru2)
The character 如 (rú) is commonly used to express comparison or similarity, meaning 'as', 'like', or 'such as'. It is often employed in phrases that illustrate examples or hypothetical situations, making it a versatile connector in sentences.
Strokes6Radical女Frequency#577DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, 如 is often used to create vivid imagery and comparisons, reflecting the culture's appreciation for metaphor and simile. It appears in famous idiomatic expressions that embody traditional wisdom.
Memory Tip
Imagine a river (如 sounds like 'ru') flowing smoothly, where everything flows together like comparisons. Picture a riverbank with signs that say 'as fine as this river'—the river represents the smoothness of comparisons.
Meanings of 如
rú(ru2)
1as
2as if
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 如
如Simplified
6Strokes
女Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#577Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 如
Podcast: 如
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AI Study Notes for 如
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 如 with other similar characters like 像 (xiàng) or 似 (shì), which also convey similarity but have different nuances. Use 如 in formal contexts for comparisons, while 像 may be more informal. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Though not currently in HSK lists, 如 can be associated with HSK Level 3 vocabulary like 这样的 (zhèyàng de - such as this) to enhance understanding of comparisons. Focus on practicing its usage in varied contexts to solidify its meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners may incorrectly use 如 in place of other comparison words, such as saying '我如喜欢这个' instead of '我像喜欢这个' (I like this). Always choose the appropriate character based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 如
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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 女 represents the sound. 口 (mouth) indicates that the character is only "mouthed", i.e. only used for its phonetic value.
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 女 represents the sound. 口 (mouth) indicates that the character is only "mouthed", i.e. only used for its phonetic value.
1The giveawayA wife 女 following her husband's words 口
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 如? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 如?
Decomposition of 如
IDS Structure⿰女口
如Full Character
=
女nü3
left
口kou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 如?
How to say as in Chinese
“as” in Chinese is如rú
The character 如 (rú) is commonly used to express comparison or similarity, meaning 'as', 'like', or 'such as'. It is often employed in phrases that illustrate examples or hypothetical situations, making it a versatile connector in sentences.
When to use 如
Learners often confuse 如 with other similar characters like 像 (xiàng) or 似 (shì), which also convey similarity but have different nuances. Use 如 in formal contexts for comparisons, while 像 may be more informal. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners may incorrectly use 如 in place of other comparison words, such as saying '我如喜欢这个' instead of '我像喜欢这个' (I like this). Always choose the appropriate character based on the context.
Write 如
如
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Practice writing 如 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 如
如 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
