"lid" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 8)
unknown, 2 strokes, radical 亠, Very Hard
tóu(tou2) T2
1lid, cover; head
2"lid" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 8)
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March 24, 2026
亠tóu(tou2)
The character 亠 (tóu) primarily represents 'lid' or 'cover' and is commonly used as a radical in various Chinese characters. In addition to its basic meaning, it can also imply the concept of 'head' in certain contexts, serving as a foundational component in more complex characters.
Strokes2Radical亠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lids (亠) are significant in traditional cooking, where they are used to cover pots and preserve the flavor of dishes. This reflects the importance of food and culinary practices in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lid (亠) sitting on top of a pot. The top part resembles a lid that covers something, and the pronunciation 'tóu' sounds like 'toe'—think of a toe peeking out from under a lid!
Meanings of 亠
tóu(tou2)
1lid, cover; head
2"lid" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 8)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 亠
亠Simplified
2Strokes
亠Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 亠
Podcast: 亠
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AI Study Notes for 亠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lid (亠) sitting on top of a pot. The top part resembles a lid that covers something, and the pronunciation 'tóu' sounds like 'toe'—think of a toe peeking out from under a lid!
Usage Notes
When using 亠 as a radical, make sure it appears at the top of the character, as it indicates the concept of covering or being on top. Beginners often mistakenly place it in the middle of characters. Remember that its usage is mostly formal, relevant in written Chinese.
HSK Study Tips
Although 亠 is not commonly listed in HSK vocabulary, recognizing it as a radical can help students break down and understand more complex characters at HSK Level 1 and above. Focus on how it appears in characters like '冂' (jiōng) and '亘' (gèn).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lids (亠) are significant in traditional cooking, where they are used to cover pots and preserve the flavor of dishes. This reflects the importance of food and culinary practices in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the placement of 亠 in characters; it should always be at the top. For example, incorrectly placing it in the middle of a character like '冂' can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 亠
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Cultural Notes for 亠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, lids (亠) are significant in traditional cooking, where they are used to cover pots and preserve the flavor of dishes. This reflects the importance of food and culinary practices in daily life.
Word Family of 亠
Words Containing This Character1
亠tóu"lid" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 8)
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 亠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 亠
亠 means 'lid' or 'cover' in English.
No, 亠 is primarily used as a radical in other characters.
