Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 如 means.
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 如 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 如 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Etymology of 如
Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation
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.
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 如 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
