scholar

shì (shi4)

Radical no. 33 · 3 strokes (33 部首 · 3 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)

5 characters
  • shēng

    sound

    HSK 5

    7 strokes

  • (coll.) shell (of an egg, nut, crab etc)

    HSK 7

    7 strokes

  • zhuàng

    to strengthen

    HSK 7

    7 strokes

  • zhù

    (archaic) drum

    9 strokes

  • pot

    HSK 6

    10 strokes

Related radicals (相关部首 xiāngguān bùshǒu)

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