Question 1

What does 例如 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

例如 (lìrú) means 'for example' or 'such as' and introduces one or more illustrative cases of a general statement. It is a conjunction built from 例 (example) and 如 (like/as), so it literally reads 'as an example.' 例如 typically sits at the start of a clause or right before the items it introduces, and it is common to follow the examples with 等 (děng, 'etc.'). Unlike English 'for example,' which floats freely mid-sentence, 例如 in careful Chinese usually leads the list rather than interrupting it. It leans written and formal; in everyday conversation native speakers reach for 比如 or 比如说 instead. Note that 例如 introduces examples, not reasons — for 'because' you need 因为, and confusing the two is a common learner slip.

Question 2

How do you pronounce 例如?

Accepted Answer

例如 is pronounced lìrú — 例 (lì), 如 (rú).

Question 3

Is 例如 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

例如 is a conjunction, register: neutral. Slightly more formal than the spoken 比如 (bǐrú). 例如 is the default in written prose, reports, and essays; 比如 dominates casual speech.

Question 4

What's the difference between 例如 and 如果?

Accepted Answer

如果 means 'if' and introduces a condition. 例如 introduces an example. They share the character 如 but do opposite jobs.

Question 5

What's the difference between 例如 and 例子?

Accepted Answer

例子 is a noun ('an example'), so you say 举一个例子 ('give an example'). 例如 is a conjunction that leads directly into the examples themselves.

Question 6

How many strokes does 例如 have?

Accepted Answer

例如 is written with 14 strokes in total: 例 (8 strokes), 如 (6 strokes).

例如

Stroke order for 例如

What does 例如 mean?

Example sentences

Common phrases with 例如

Synonyms

Don't confuse 例如 with

FAQ

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