例如
lìrú · HSK 2
for instance/example
例 = example + 如 = such as; together: 'for example, such as'
例 (lì) means 'example/instance' and 如 (rú) means 'like/such as'. Combined, 例如 literally reads 'example-like', used the same way English uses 'for instance' or 'such as' before listing items.
如 — woman radical 女 + mouth 口
Originally a phono-semantic compound where 女 (woman) suggested compliance and 口 (mouth) indicated speaking or following orders. The early sense was 'to follow' or 'to comply with what is said,' which extended to 'to be like' or 'as if.' Modern uses like 'if' and 'such as' grew from this comparative meaning.