如

• 拼音: rú
• 汉字拆解: 如 = 女 (woman) + 口 (mouth) — originally depicting following/compliance

含义

Like; as; if; such as. Used for comparisons, conditionals, and giving examples.

A highly versatile classical word that appears in numerous compound expressions. Functions as a comparison marker similar to 'like' or 'as,' and in conditional constructions meaning 'if.' Common in literary expressions and formal writing. Also forms many idioms and set phrases.

例句

1. 人生如梦，转眼间二十年就过去了。
2. 如有任何问题，请随时与我联系。
3. 他的表演如行云流水，自然流畅，毫无做作。

用法指南

语境: literary, formal writing, idioms

语气: elegant

正确说法

• 如不方便，可以改天再约。(If it's inconvenient, we can reschedule.)
• 一切如常，不必担心。(Everything is as usual, no need to worry.)

错误说法

• 这个如那个一样。(In spoken Chinese, use 像 or 跟...一样 — 如 is too literary)

起源与历史

Pictographic character depicting a woman following or complying, later extended to mean 'like' or 'as.' One of the oldest comparison words in Chinese.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal