Back to dictionary
JLPT N16画 · 6 strokesradical 女freq #1704Jōyō kanji

likeness, like, such as, as if

Also: better, best, equal

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ジョ
  • ニョ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • ごと.し

Mnemonic

Imagine a woman (女) dressed like a queen, as if she embodies the likeness of royalty in her majestic pose.

About this kanji

The kanji 「如」 primarily means "likeness" or "like." It is often used in compounds rather than as a standalone word. For example, the word 如何 (どう) means "how," questioning the manner or way something is done; 欠如 (けつじょ) means "lack," indicating an absence of something essential; and 突如 (とつじょ) translates to "suddenly," conveying an unexpected occurrence. Additionally, 如実 (にょじつ) means "reality," highlighting a similarity to the truth. A quick note: this kanji can express comparisons or similarities, making it useful in various contexts.

Example sentences

  • 彼女は如き優雅さを持つ。

    She possesses elegance like no other.

Meanings across languages

English
likeness, like, such as, as if, better, best, equal
Tiếng Việt
giống như
日本語
한국어
와 같이
中文
id
kesamaan
th
ความเหมือน
es
similitud
fr
ressemblance
de
Ähnlichkeit
pt
semelhança

Common compounds

  • 如何どうhow, in what way, how about
  • 欠如けつじょlack, absence, shortage
  • 突如とつじょsuddenly, all of a sudden, unexpectedly
  • 如しごとしlike, as if, the same as
  • 如実にょじつreality, actuality, actual conditions
  • 如何にいかにhow, in what way, how (much)
  • 如何にもいかにもindeed, really, truly
  • 如何してどうしてhow, in what way, by what means

Words using this kanji

Want to actually learn this kanji?

The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.

読んで、覚えて、話す。

Read · Remember · Speak. Get Kanji 360 free and try the N5 catalogue in your first session.