如 — Like, As, If

This N1 kanji, 如, adds a subtle layer of nuance and comparison to Japanese expressions. Although it appears simple with just six strokes, its usage is sophisticated. You'll often encounter it in formal or classical contexts, making it an essential kanji for advanced learners.

Meaning

The kanji 如 (にょ, きょ, ごと-し) primarily means "like," "as," or "if." It expresses resemblance, comparison, or hypothetical situations, often implying that something is "just like" something else or "according to" a certain manner. Consider it a more formal or literary way to convey similarity.

To understand its origin, we can examine its components. 如 is a phono-semantic compound. On the left, 女 (おんな), meaning "woman" or "female," serves as the semantic component. On the right, 口 (くち), meaning "mouth," provides the phonetic hint. Its ancient pronunciation was similar to "rú" in Chinese, which is the root of 如's on'yomi readings.

While the "woman" component might seem obscure today, some etymological theories connect it to a woman's graceful or yielding nature, suggesting something that naturally "conforms to" or "is like" something else. This interpretation is largely speculative in modern usage. A simpler, more direct understanding focuses on it representing someone (female) speaking (mouth) in a way that "is like" or "as if."

At first glance, seeing 女 next to 口 may not immediately suggest "like" or "as if." However, grasping its components as sound and meaning clues is helpful. The "mouth" part provides the sound, while the "woman" part hints at the general category or a nuance related to human expression or condition. This combination illustrates how ancient characters often blend abstract concepts with concrete images.

This kanji has 6 strokes and is a Jōyō kanji (常用漢字), approved for general use. However, it's not part of the elementary school kanji grades. Learners are typically introduced to it at a much higher level, such as JLPT N1, due to its advanced applications, especially in formal or classical expressions.

Readings

The kanji 如 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Learning these will significantly improve your ability to understand complex texts.

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi readings for 如 are ニョ and キョ. You'll often find these in more formal vocabulary, particularly in fixed expressions or words borrowed directly from Chinese.

• ニョ (nyo): This is the more common On'yomi reading for 如, frequently appearing in words related to similarity or accordance.

• 如にょし (nyoshi) — such as, like this (a classical formal term)

• 如来にょらい (nyorai) — Tathagata (an epithet for Buddha), meaning "one who has thus come" or "one who has thus gone"

• 如実にょじつ (nyojitsu) — reality, truth, as it is (literally "like reality")

• キョ (kyo): This reading is less common than ニョ, but still appears in specific compounds, particularly in more archaic or specialized terms.

• 不如帰ほととぎす (hototogisu) — cuckoo (a poetic term). The kanji literally mean "not like returning home," referring to the cuckoo's call often interpreted as urging someone to return home.

• 如何いかが (ikaga) — how, what (a polite and somewhat formal way to ask "how is it?"), using its original meaning of "as what?"

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi readings for 如 are ごと-し and し-く. These readings give the kanji a distinctively Japanese character, often functioning as verbs or adjectival phrases to express comparison or equivalence.

• ごと-し (gotoshi): This classical adjectival suffix means "is like," "is as if," or "is as." It's commonly seen in formal writing, literature, and proverbs, and functions like a copula that draws a comparison.

• 夢ゆめの如ごとし (yume no gotoshi) — like a dream, dream-like

• 風かぜの如ごとし (kaze no gotoshi) — like the wind, swift as wind

• 雷かみなりの如ごとき声こえ (kaminari no gotoki koe) — a voice like thunder

• し-く (shiku): This reading typically appears in the negative form, often in proverbs. It means "to be equal to" or "to be comparable to." It's commonly used to state that something "is not as good as" or "does not equal" something else, such as in the idiom 及ばざるは猶なお過ぎたるに如しかず.

• 及ばざるは猶なお過ぎたるに如しかず (oyobazaru wa nao sugitari ni shikazu) — it is better to fall short than to overdo. (Literally, "not reaching is still not comparable to overdoing.")

• 百聞ひゃくぶんは一見いっけんに如しかず (hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu) — seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. (Literally, "a hundred hearings are not comparable to one seeing.")

Common Words & Compounds

This section explores how 如 combines with other kanji to form nuanced and expressive words. You'll notice its consistent theme of comparison and conformity throughout these examples.

• Words related to Reality & Appearance:

• 如実にょじつ (nyojitsu) — reality, truth, as it is

• 如来にょらい (nyorai) — Tathagata (Buddha), "one who has thus come"

• 如斯このように (konoyouni) — like this, in this way (archaic/formal)

• Words related to Manner & Status:

• 如何いかが (ikaga) — how, in what way (polite)

• 如何いかん (ikan) — how, what (more formal/literary)

• 如何いかに (ikani) — how, no matter how (adverbial)

• 如意にょい (nyoi) — as one wishes, as one desires (often seen in "如意棒" Nyoibō - Ruyi Jingu Bang, the magical staff from Journey to the West, which changes size as one wishes)

• Words related to Comparison & Similarity:

• 如法にょほう (nyohou) — according to the rules/dharma, proper

• 如意自在にょいじざい (nyoi jizai) — freely, as one wishes (with utmost freedom, often referring to supernatural powers)

• 突如とつじょ (totsujo) — suddenly, abruptly (meaning "like a sudden strike/event")

• 譬如ひゆ (hiyu) — metaphor, simile (classical term; 譬 meaning "to liken")

Example Sentences

These sentences illustrate 如 in practical use. These sentences will help you understand its natural flow in various contexts.

Memory Tip

To remember 如, visualize a "woman" (女) opening her "mouth" (口) to say something "like" or "as if." Perhaps she's describing something with a vivid simile, making everything she says sound "like" something else. Alternatively, simply think of a woman speaking about a comparison: "This is like that." The combination of 女 (woman) and 口 (mouth) provides the visual cue for expressing similarity or a condition.