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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
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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
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
I told him if he withdrew it was on his own account.
8
如果我可以效劳的话，敬请吩咐。
rú guǒ wǒ kě yǐ xiào láo de huà， ， jìng qǐng fēn。
If I can be of service, I am at your disposal.
9
他对于法国、德国和荷兰的文学了如指掌。
tā duì yú fǎ guó、 、 dé guó hé hé lán de wén xué le rú zhǐ。
He was well acquainted with the literature of France, Germany and Holland.
10
他其实并不关心诸如此类的问题。
tā qí shí bìng bù guān xīn zhū rú cǐ lèi de wèn tí。
Issues such as these were not really his concern.
Cultural Notes for 如
🏮Cultural insight
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.
