small

xiǎo (xiao3)

Radical no. 42 · 3 strokes (42 部首 · 3 42 bùshǒu · 3 huà)

Radical ⼩ (xiǎo) — meaning: small, 3 strokes.

Origin & mnemonic

The small radical originates from a pictograph representing three tiny objects placed close together or three grains of millet, gradually becoming an abstract symbol for the concept of smallness.

Mnemonic: Three small strokes stacked vertically like tiny millet grains symbolize "small".

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

1 characters
  • xiǎo

    small

    HSK 1

    3 strokes

Related radicals (相关部首 xiāngguān bùshǒu)

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