sound

yīn (yin1)

Radical no. 180 · 9 strokes (180 部首 · 9 180 bùshǒu · 9 huà)

Radical ⾳ (yīn) — meaning: sound, 9 strokes.

Origin & mnemonic

This radical originates from oracle-bone and seal-script pictographs depicting sound through the image of a mouth (口) with sound waves emanating from within. Over time, the form evolved into its modern complex structure.

Mnemonic: A mouth shape (口) in the center with surrounding strokes like sound waves radiating outward.

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

7 characters
  • yùn

    the final (of a syllable) (Chinese phonology)

    13 strokes

  • sháo

    (literary) splendid; glorious

    14 strokes

  • yīng

    music of legendary emperor Gu

    17 strokes

  • huáng

    music of bell and drum

    18 strokes

  • xiǎng

    echo

    HSK 2

    20 strokes

  • àn

    (bound form) dark; dull (color); dim; gloomy

    21 strokes

  • music

    22 strokes

Related radicals (相关部首 xiāngguān bùshǒu)

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