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刂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刂dāoknifezg, 2 strokes, radical 刂
刂dāo"knife" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 18)unknown, 2 strokes, radical 刂
dāo(dao1) T1
  1. 1knife
  2. 2"knife" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 18)
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March 24, 2026

刂dāo(dao1)

The character 刂 (dāo) means 'knife' and serves as a radical in various Chinese characters. It often conveys sharpness or cutting, and is commonly used in words related to cooking, tools, or actions involving cutting.

Strokes2Radical刂
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the knife is not just a tool but symbolizes precision and skill in cooking, especially in culinary traditions like Chinese knife techniques in food preparation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sharp knife (刂) slicing through an object. The character looks like a knife with its blade on the left, which helps you remember its meaning and pronunciation: 'dāo' sounds like the action of slicing.

Meanings of 刂

dāo(dao1)
1knife
2"knife" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 18)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 刂

刂Simplified
2Strokes
刂Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 刂

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Podcast: 刂

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AI Study Notes for 刂

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a sharp knife (刂) slicing through an object. The character looks like a knife with its blade on the left, which helps you remember its meaning and pronunciation: 'dāo' sounds like the action of slicing.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 刂 with similar-looking radicals. This character is mainly used in formal contexts, and collocations include words like 刀具 (dāo jù - cutting tools) and 刀片 (dāo piàn - knife blade). The fourth tone in 'dāo' is essential for correct pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 刂 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it appears in many HSK words. Focus on recognizing it in characters related to cutting or sharp objects, which will enhance vocabulary connection at this level.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the knife is not just a tool but symbolizes precision and skill in cooking, especially in culinary traditions like Chinese knife techniques in food preparation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use the correct tone when pronouncing 刂, saying 'dao' instead of 'dāo'. Another mistake is misidentifying it as a standalone word rather than recognizing it as a radical in other characters.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刂

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Etymology of 刂

Explanation

刂 is a component form of 刀.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Decomposition of 刂

IDS Structure⿰丨亅
刂Full Character
=
丨gun3
left
亅jue2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 刂?

Write 刂

刂

Practice writing 刂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 刂

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the knife is not just a tool but symbolizes precision and skill in cooking, especially in culinary traditions like Chinese knife techniques in food preparation.

Word Family of 刂

Words Containing This Character1
刂dāosee also 立刀旁[lì​dāo​páng]
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 刂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 刂

Common characters include 刀 (dāo - knife), 剁 (duò - to chop), and 剪 (jiǎn - to cut/scissors).

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