若

Conditional: "if," "supposing," "assuming."

Comparative: "like," "as," "similar to," or "resembling."

Conditional conjunction used for both real and hypothetical conditions. In its comparative capacity, it can function as a verb meaning "to be like" or "to resemble." In specific compounds (e.g., 若何), it serves as an interrogative meaning "how" or "in what way."

Often interchangeable with 如 in the comparative sense. The boundary between its conditional use ("if") and its comparative use ("as if/like") can be fluid.

Tang-period reading: *njiɑk.

The translator must determine whether the glyph introduces a scenario to be resolved (condition) or a quality to be described (similarity). For conditionals, look for resultative particles or a concluding clause; for comparatives, the glyph will typically link two nouns or describe the state of a subject.