若
if
At a glance · 若
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
「若」甲骨文象人举手理顺头发，金文小篆形变。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「若」本义为顺、择菜，假借为如、似、若。
Structure
象人跪坐以手顺发，会顺义，后假借为如同、如果。
At a glance
Pinyinruò
Radical艹
Strokes9
UnicodeU+82E5
Character type会意
Theme虚词
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
if
if, supposing, assuming; similar
Français
comme / si
Comme, si. «容止若思» : le maintien comme plongé dans la pensée.
Español
como / si
Como, si. «容止若思»: el porte como sumido en el pensamiento.
العربية
كأن / مثل
كأن، مثل. «容止若思»: الهيئة كأنها غارقة في التفكير.
Русский
как / будто
Как, будто. «容止若思»: вид погружённый в размышление.
Common words
- 若ruòlike
- 假若jiǎ ruòif