The kanji 如 primarily conveys the meaning of "like," "as," "such as," or "similar to." It often implies a comparison or a state of being in a similar condition. It can also suggest an action or state that is "as if" something else.

・On-yomi (音読み): ジョ (jo) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): ごと.し (goto.shi)

⚫︎ 例えば、彼は英雄如しと称えられた。 Translation: For example, he was praised as being like a hero. ⚫︎ 彼女如く美しい人はいない。 Translation: There is no one as beautiful as her. ⚫︎ もしもし如し Translation: If, as if (often used in the title of a novel or a phrase implying "as if")

The kanji 如 is a pictograph. The left side is 女, which means "woman," and the right side is 口, which means "mouth." Originally, 如 depicted a woman's mouth as expressing her likeness or appearance. Over time, the meaning evolved to express "like" or "similar to." It suggests the similarity of a woman's appearance with the thing or person.