白
The 白 radical
White, clear
Memory hook
The sun 日 with a ray breaking above it — sunlight is white and clear. Hence white, bright, plain: 明白 (to understand clearly), 百 (hundred).
The 白 radical (read bái) means white, clear. The HSK 3.0 data contains 6 characters and 48 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 白 radical
Study this radical's 48 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 白 radical
6 charactersHSK 1· 3 characters
HSK 1白
white
百
hundred
的
indicates possession or modifies a noun
HSK 6· 1 characters
HSK 6皇
emperor
HSK 7-9· 2 characters
HSK 7-9皂
black
皆
all, every
Vocabulary with the 白 radical
48 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 白 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (30/48 words of this radical).
other, others
to understand
some (used before a noun)
white
daytime
hundred
indicates possession or modifies a noun
really; truly
white; the color white
if
purpose; goal
there's plenty of; there's no shortage of
Chinese cabbage; napa cabbage
ordinary people; common folk
as if, like
general merchandise
indeed, truly
baijiu (Chinese spirit)
office worker, white-collar worker
percentage point
emperor
by every possible means, in a thousand ways
to confess, to be candid
dialogue (in a film or play script)
Opening remarks, introductory words (of a performance, speech, or program)
generally speaking
deathly pale (from fear or illness)
To have a clear aim, to act with a specific target rather than blindly.
to be found everywhere
beyond reproach, excellent, perfect
Why learn vocabulary by the 白 radical?
The 白 radical hints at the meaning white, clear. When you meet an unfamiliar character carrying it, you already know part of its meaning before reaching for a dictionary — which is why learners who know their radicals move faster.
How to study: read the memory hook, skim the 6 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 48 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.