如实
rú shí · HSK 7
as things really are
📷 如实 = as/like (如) + real/true (实) → reporting things exactly as they really are
如 means as or like; 实 means real, solid, or true (same 实 as in 真实 real and 事实 fact). Put together: describing or reporting matters as they truly are, without distortion.
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.