例如 (lìrú) — For example / such as

HSK 4 | adverb / conjunction | introducing an example or illustration

例如 (lìrú)

例如 is used to introduce one or more examples that illustrate a general statement, equivalent to "for example" or "such as" in English.

Meanings

  1. [adverb/conjunction] for example, for instance, such as

Example Sentences

很多水果对身体有好处,例如苹果、香蕉和橙子。 Hěn duō shuǐguǒ duì shēntǐ yǒu hǎochù, lìrú píngguǒ, xiāngjiāo hé chéngzi. Many fruits are good for the body, for example apples, bananas, and oranges.

学好外语有很多方法,例如多听、多说、多练习。 Xuéhǎo wàiyǔ yǒu hěn duō fāngfǎ, lìrú duō tīng, duō shuō, duō liànxí. There are many ways to learn a foreign language well, for example listening more, speaking more, and practicing more.

有些职业要求很高,例如医生和律师需要多年的学习。 Yǒuxiē zhíyè yāoqiú hěn gāo, lìrú yīshēng hé lǜshī xūyào duō nián de xuéxí. Some professions have high requirements; for example, doctors and lawyers need many years of study.

我们可以通过多种方式锻炼,例如跑步、游泳或打球。 Wǒmen kěyǐ tōngguò duō zhǒng fāngshì duànliàn, lìrú pǎobù, yóuyǒng huò dǎqiú. We can exercise in many ways, for example running, swimming, or playing ball.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
例如说 for example (slightly more informal)
举例如 to give an example such as
以…为例如 taking… as an example
例如以下 such as the following

Usage Notes

例如 is more formal than 比如 and is frequently used in writing, reports, and speeches. It typically introduces a list of examples after a general statement. Unlike 比如 which can appear mid-sentence conversationally, 例如 usually begins a new clause or appears at the start of an example list.

Memory Hook

例 (example/case) + 如 (like/as if) = "like a case / as for example" — picture a case file labeled with an example.