厶
The 厶 radical
Private, self
Memory hook
An arm curled around one's own things — the original word for 'private', later written 私. Found in 去 (to go), 参 (to take part).
The 厶 radical (read sī) means private, self. The HSK 3.0 data contains 3 characters and 33 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 厶 radical
Study this radical's 33 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 厶 radical
3 charactersHSK 1· 1 characters
HSK 1去
to go
HSK 2· 1 characters
HSK 2参
to take part in; to participate
HSK 4· 1 characters
HSK 4县
county
Vocabulary with the 厶 radical
33 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 厶 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (28/33 words of this radical).
to go out
to go
last year
to go back; to return
to go in; to enter
to take part; to join
to visit; to tour
to go over; to go there
to go up
to go down; to continue
to pass away; to die
to lose
to seem; to look as if; apparently
county
to participate, to take part
to refer to, to consult
to remove, to take away
to participate in an exhibition, to exhibit
to participate in a competition, to enter a contest
whereabouts, destination
place, destination
to remove, eliminate
to enlist, to join the army
to refer to, to consult
see also, refer to (usually used in official documents or books)
staff officer, staff
the cause and development of a matter; the whole story from beginning to end
to toss and turn, to be unable to sleep
Why learn vocabulary by the 厶 radical?
The 厶 radical hints at the meaning private, self. 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 33 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.