矢
The 矢 radical
Arrow
Memory hook
An arrow with its point and feathered tail. Being a short object it gives 短 (short) and 矮 (low); 知 (to know) is a word flying straight as an arrow.
The 矢 radical (read shǐ) means arrow. The HSK 3.0 data contains 7 characters and 41 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 矢 radical
Study this radical's 41 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 矢 radical
7 charactersHSK 1· 1 characters
HSK 1知
to know
HSK 2· 1 characters
HSK 2短
short
HSK 4· 1 characters
HSK 4矮
short, low
HSK 7-9· 4 characters
HSK 7-9矢
arrow
矣
Sentence-final particle indicating a completed action or a state that has occurred
矩
carpenter's square, right-angle ruler
矫
to correct, to straighten out
Vocabulary with the 矢 radical
41 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 矢 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (24/41 words of this radical).
knowledge
to know
short
text message; SMS
to notify; notice
shortcoming; weak point
short-term
shorts
short, low
short and small; stunted
to shorten
notification letter, written notice (e.g. admission letter, summons)
well-known, famous
short film, short clip
unexpected mishap, accident
to know nothing at all
now long now short, uneven
unknown to anyone; secret; quietly
to have no way of knowing
to not know
unknowingly, unawares
as everyone knows, well-known
can be imagined
to inform someone
Why learn vocabulary by the 矢 radical?
The 矢 radical hints at the meaning arrow. 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 7 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 41 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.