部首 (bùshǒu) refers to the 'radical' or 'key' of a Chinese character, which is a component that often indicates its meaning or pronunciation. Radicals are used in dictionaries to categorize characters and can provide insight into the character's semantic field, making them essential for understanding and learning Chinese.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
bùshǒu(bu4shou3) T4
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May 27, 2026
部首bùshǒu(bu4shou3)
部首 (bùshǒu) refers to the 'radical' or 'key' of a Chinese character, which is a component that often indicates its meaning or pronunciation. Radicals are used in dictionaries to categorize characters and can provide insight into the character's semantic field, making them essential for understanding and learning Chinese.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Understanding 部首 is crucial for navigating Chinese language education, as they are integral to the structure of Chinese characters, reflecting historical and cultural significance in the language's development.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '部' (bù) that is a big section of a book, and '首' (shǒu) as the head or top of that section. Together, think of部首 as the 'head section' that leads you to the meaning of other characters, guiding your understanding like the table of contents in a book.
About 部首
部首Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 部首
Podcast: 部首
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AI Study Notes for 部首
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a '部' (bù) that is a big section of a book, and '首' (shǒu) as the head or top of that section. Together, think of部首 as the 'head section' that leads you to the meaning of other characters, guiding your understanding like the table of contents in a book.
Usage Notes
When using the term, remember that it's primarily used in educational contexts, such as when discussing character components or dictionary entries. A common mistake is confusing 部首 with the entire character; instead, it is just a part of it. Be mindful that it's a neutral term and doesn't carry formal or informal connotations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 student, focus on how radicals can help you deduce meanings of unfamiliar characters and improve your reading skills. Connect this term to other vocabulary related to learning and analyzing characters, as understanding radicals will enhance your overall comprehension.
Cultural Note
Understanding 部首 is crucial for navigating Chinese language education, as they are integral to the structure of Chinese characters, reflecting historical and cultural significance in the language's development.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly think 部首 refers to the entire character rather than just its component. For example, saying '我喜欢部首' (I like the radical) instead of '我喜欢这个字的部首' (I like the radical of this character) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 部首
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Cultural Notes for 部首
🏮Cultural insight
Understanding 部首 is crucial for navigating Chinese language education, as they are integral to the structure of Chinese characters, reflecting historical and cultural significance in the language's development.
Frequently Asked Questions about 部首
The purpose of a 部首 is to categorize characters in dictionaries and often to indicate their meanings or pronunciation.
You can locate a character by identifying its radical and then looking it up in a dictionary organized by radicals.
Yes, every Chinese character has at least one radical associated with it, which helps in understanding its meaning.
