隶
The 隶 radical
Slave, subordinate
Memory hook
A hand catching an animal by the tail — someone seized and enslaved: 奴隶 (slave), 隶属 (to be subordinate to), 隶书 (clerical script).
The 隶 radical (read lì) means slave, subordinate. The HSK 3.0 data contains 1 characters and 1 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 隶 radical
Practise the 1 characters carrying the 隶 radical in correct stroke order: watch, trace, then write from memory.
Characters with the 隶 radical
1 charactersHSK 7-9· 1 characters
HSK 7-9隶
to be subordinate to, to belong to
Vocabulary with the 隶 radical
1 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 隶 radical, ordered by HSK level.
slave
At least 4 words are needed to practise.
Why learn vocabulary by the 隶 radical?
The 隶 radical hints at the meaning slave, subordinate. 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 1 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 1 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.