西
The 西 radical
West; a cover
Variants: 覀 襾
Memory hook
Originally a bird's nest — birds return at sundown, in the west. Its flattened form 覀 sits on top of characters: 要 (to need), 覆 (to cover).
The 西 radical (read xī) means west; a cover. The HSK 3.0 data contains 3 characters and 49 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 西 radical
Study this radical's 49 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 西 radical
3 charactersHSK 1· 2 characters
HSK 1西
west
要
to need
HSK 7-9· 1 characters
HSK 7-9覆
to overturn, to tip over, to turn upside down
Vocabulary with the 西 radical
49 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 西 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (37/49 words of this radical).
thing, object
west
the west side, to the west
to need
important
don't; must not
main; principal
as long as
about to; going to
about to; going to soon
northwest
Western medicine
southwest
the West; the Western world
necessary
western part; the west
if
to need
it's all right, never mind
watermelon
about to, on the verge of
tomato
suit jacket
Spanish (language)
otherwise; or else
either... or; or else
friendly; close; on good terms
element; essential component
to rush about everywhere, to run around (to handle affairs)
to look around, to glance this way and that
unimportant, insignificant
brief, concise, in summary
main framework, outline
earth-shaking, an enormous change, a profound transformation
to toss and turn, to be unable to sleep
utterly important, crucial
otherwise, or else
Why learn vocabulary by the 西 radical?
The 西 radical hints at the meaning west; a cover. 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 3 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 49 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.