突如
とつじょ · totsujo · JLPT N1 · adverb
suddenly
⚡ 突 = burst out + 如 = like: burst out like that, so 突如 = suddenly
突 (totsu) means thrust or burst out, and 如 (jo) means like or as. Together they describe something bursting out, which is why 突如 means suddenly. It is a formal, written word.
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.