The Use of Same Radical on the Left in Chinese Characters
Here you can learn how to use Chinese character radicals of the left and right structured, such as 妈【mā=mother】which is formed by the radical on the left 女【nǚ=female】and the character 马【mǎ=horse】.
1. The Left Radicals 亻【rén】 , 女【nǚ】and孑【zǐ】
a. As the radical on the left, 亻【rén】 is often used to describe anything that related to a person. For example:
- 你【nǐ=you】
- 他们【tāmen= they】
- 像【xiàng= likeness (of somebody)】
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b. As the radical on the left, 女【nǚ】is often used to describe anything that relates to a female. For example:
- 她【tā=she】
- 妈妈【māma=mother】
- 姐姐【jiějie=older sister】
c. As the radical on the left, 孑【zǐ】is often used to describe anything related to a child. For example:
- 孩子【háizǐ=child, children】
- 孺【rú=child】
- 孙子【sūnzi=grandson】
2. The Left Radicals 忄【xīn】, 礻【shì】
a. As the radical on the left, 忄【xīn】is often used to describe anything that relates to heart. For example:
- 怪【guài= strange, odd】
- 怕【pà= fear, dread】
- 快【kuài= hurry up, happy】
b. As the radical on the left, 礻【shì】is often used to describe anything that relates to spirit. For example:
- 神【shén= God, divinity】
- 福【fú= good fortune, blessing】
- 祝【zhù= express good wishes, wish】
3. The Left Radicals氵【shuǐ】 , 火【huǒ】and冫【bīng】
a. As the radical on the left 氵【shuǐ】 is often used to describe anything related to water. For example:
- 汤【tāng=hot water soup】
- 浇水【jiāoshuǐ= watering】
- 河【hé= river】
b. As the radical on the left 火【huǒ】is often used to describe anything related to fire. For example:
- 炒菜【chǎocài=stir-fry, sauté】
- 烤【kǎo= bake, roast, toast】
- 烟【yān= smoke】
c. As the radical on the left, 冫【bīng】 is often used to describe anything related to ice. For example:
- 冰【bīng=ice】
- 冷【lěng= cold, frosty, cool】
4. The Left Radicals口【kǒu】, 扌【shǒu】, 足【zú】and目【mù】
a. As the radical on the left, 口【kǒu】is often used to describe anything that related to mouth. For examples:
- 唱【chàng=sing】
- 叫【jiào=shout, call】
- 吃【chī=eat】
b. As the radical on the left, 扌【shǒu】 is often used to describe anything that related to hands. For examples:
- 拍【pāi= clap】
- 按【àn= press, push down】
- 握手【wòshǒu= shake hands】
c. As the radical on the left, 足【zú】is often used to describe anything that related to feet. For examples:
- 跑【pǎo=run, escape】
- 跳【tiào= jump, leap】
- 跟【gēn=heel, follow】
d. As the radical on the left, 目【mù】 is often used to describe anything that related to eyes. For examples:
• 眼睛【yǎnjing=eye】
• 眼眶【yǎnkuàng= eye socket】
• 眯【mī= narrow (one’s eyes)】
5. The Left Radicals 饣【shí】, 米【mǐ】and 木 【mù】
a. As the radical on the left, 饣【shí】 is often used to describe anything that related to food. For examples:
- 饭【fàn= cooked rice, meal】
- 饼【bǐng= biscuit, a round flat cake】
- 馒头【mántou=steamed bread】
b. As the radical on the left, 米【mǐ】 is often used to describe anything that related to rice or seed. For examples:
- 粮【liáng=grain】
- 米粉【mǐfěn=powder】
- 糯稻【nuòdào=glutinous rice】
c. As the radical on the left, 木【mù】is often used to describe anything that related to tree or wood. For examples:
- 树林【shùlín= grove】
- 根【gēn= root of a plant】
6. The Left Radicals 犭【gǒu=dog】, 虫【chóng】and鱼 【yú】
a. As the radical on the left, 犭【gǒu=dog】is often used to describe anything that relates to an animal. For example:
- 狗【gǒu= dog】
- 猫【māo=cat】
- 猴子【hóuzi=monkey】
b. As the radical on the left, 虫【chóng】is often used to describe anything that relates to an insect. For example:
- 蝇【yíng=fly】
- 蟋蟀【xīshuài=cricket】
- 蜂【fēng= bee, wasp】
c. As the Chinese character radical on the left, 鱼 【yú】is often used to describe anything that relates to fish. For example:
- 鱿鱼【yóuyú= squid】
- 鲵【ní= salamander】
- 鲒【jié= oyster】