偌 (ruò) — (literary adverb) such; so; to such an extent (used before adjectives to emphasize degree)

Definition

Literary intensifier meaning 'such' or 'so' — placed before an adjective (often 大的, 多的) to stress degree. Only seen in written or set phrases like 偌大; not used in everyday speech.

adverb
(literary adverb) suchsoto such an extent (used before adjectives to emphasize degree)

Examples

  • ,。
    ruò Dà de fáng zi, wǒ yí gè rén zhù bù liǎo.
    Such a big house, I can't live in it alone.
  • 偌,。
    ruò Duō de kè rén, wǒ men dé zhǔn bèi gèng duō shí wù.
    So many guests, we need to prepare more food.
  • ,。
    ruò Dà de chéng shì, nǐ jìng rán mí lù le.
    Such a big city, and you actually got lost.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
若
若ruò偌ruò
Same sound today

偌 pairs 人, meaning man, with 若, which gives the sound.

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