⼠

scholar

shì (shi4)

Radical no. 33 · 3 strokes (第 33 部首 · 3 画 dì 33 bùshǒu · 3 huà)

Radical ⼠ (shì) — meaning: scholar, 3 strokes.

Origin & mnemonic

This radical originates from a pictograph in oracle-bone script depicting a man or noble figure. It was later simplified into three horizontal strokes and one vertical stroke in the center, symbolizing an educated person.

Mnemonic: Three stacked horizontal strokes resemble layers of knowledge piled upon an educated scholar.

Characters with this radical (含此部首的字 hán cǐ bùshǒu de zì)

2 characters

Stroke count

All strokes1-3 strokes4-6 strokes7-10 strokes11+ strokes

Sort

Stroke count (default)FrequencyHSK levelRandom
  • 壬rén

    ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shi2 tian1 gan1]

    4 strokes

  • 壮zhuàng

    to strengthen

    HSK 7

    6 strokes

Related radicals (相关部首 xiāngguān bùshǒu)

Same stroke count or numerically adjacent in the 214-radical set.