比如
bǐ rú · HSK 2
for example
📋 比 = compare + 如 = like/such as → 'comparable to, such as'
比 means compare; 如 means like or as. Together 比如 literally reads compare-like, used to introduce a comparable case — 'for example'. Common sentence opener before listing instances.
比 — two 匕 (person) side by side
比 is a pictograph showing two people standing side by side, facing the same direction. From this image of paired figures came the core meaning 'to compare' or 'to be next to,' since comparing things naturally involves placing them alongside each other.
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.