非
The 非 radical
Not, wrong
Memory hook
Two wings spread in opposite directions — turned away from each other, hence 'is not': 非常 (very), 是非 (right and wrong), 靠 (to lean on).
The 非 radical (read fēi) means not, wrong. The HSK 3.0 data contains 2 characters and 18 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 非 radical
Study this radical's 18 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 非 radical
2 charactersHSK 1· 1 characters
HSK 1非
not, is not
HSK 2· 1 characters
HSK 2靠
to lean on; to lean against
Vocabulary with the 非 radical
18 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 非 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (16/18 words of this radical).
very; extremely
to lean on; to lean against
reliable; dependable; trustworthy
to rely on, to depend on
not, is not
unless
to approach, to get close to
seemingly right but actually wrong, plausible but false
is not, actually not
nothing to blame, beyond reproach
nothing more than, nothing but
right and wrong, disputes
could it be that, surely not
extraordinary, outstanding
must absolutely, to insist on
illegal
Why learn vocabulary by the 非 radical?
The 非 radical hints at the meaning not, wrong. 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 2 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 18 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.