If you are new to learning Chinese, it could be difficult to remember many Chinese characters. If you understand how the same radical on the left is used, it makes it easier to remember them.
As you may know, Chinese characters are formed in seven ways; as single structured, left and right structured, left, middle and right structured, top and base structured, etc.
In here, you will learn about the left and right structured characters, such as 妈 【mā=mother】which is formed by the radical on the left 女【nǚ=female】and the character 马【mǎ=horse】.
1. As the radical on the left, 女 【nǚ】is often used to describe anything that relates to female. For example:
- 她【tā=she】
- 妈妈【māma=mother】
- 姐姐【jiějie=older sister】
2. As the radical on the left, 亻 【rén】 is often used to describe anything that relates to person. For example:
- 你【nǐ=you】
- 他们【tāmen= they】
- 像【xiàng= likeness (of somebody)】
3. As the radical on the left, 孑 【zǐ】is often used to describe anything related to child. For example:
- 孩子【háizǐ=child, children】
- 孺【rú=child】
- 孙子【sūnzi=grandson】
4. As the radical on the left, 忄 【xīn】is often used to describe anything that is related to the heart. For example:
- 怪【guài= strange, odd】
- 怕【pà= fear, dread】
- 快【kuài= hurry up, happy】
5. As the radical on the left, 礻 【shì】is often used to describe anything that relates to spirit. For example:
- 神【shén= God, divinity】
- 福【fú= good fortune, blessing】
- 祝【zhù= express good wishes, wish】
6. As the radical on the left 氵【shuǐ】 is often used to describe anything related to water. For example:
- 汤【tāng=hot water soup】
- 浇水【jiāoshuǐ= watering】
- 河【hé= river】
7. As the radical on the left 火【huǒ】is often used to describe anything that relates to fire. For example:
- 炒菜【chǎocài=stir-fry, sauté】
- 烤【kǎo= bake, roast, toast】
- 烟【yān= smoke】
8. As the radical on the left, 冫 【bīng】 is often used to describe anything related to ice. For example:
· 冰【bīng=ice】
· 冷【lěng= cold, frosty, cool】
9. As the radical on the left, 口 【kǒu】is often used to describe anything that related to the mouth. For example:
· 唱 【chàng=sing】
· 叫【jiào=shout, call】
· 吃【chī=eat】
10. As the radical on the left, 饣 【shí】 is often used to describe anything that is related to food. For example:
- 饭【fàn= cooked rice, meal】
- 饼【bǐng= biscuit, a round flat cake】
- 馒头【mántou=steamed bread】
11. As the radical on the left, 米 【mǐ】 is often used to describe anything that relates to rice or seed. For example:
- 粮【liáng=grain】
- 米粉【mǐfěn=powder】
- 糯稻 【nuòdào=glutinous rice】
12. As the radical on the left, 【yán】is often used to describe anything that relates to speech. For example:
- 谈论 【tánlùn=discuss, talk about】
- 语【yǔ= language, words, speak】
- 说话【shuōhuà=speak, talk】
13. As the radical on the left, 扌 【shǒu】 is often used to describe anything that related to the hand. For example:
- 拍【pāi= clap】
- 按【àn= press, push down】
- 握手【wòshǒu= shake hands】
14. As the radical on the left, 犭【gǒu=dog】is often used to describe anything that relates to animal. For example:
· 狗【gǒu= dog】
· 猫【māo=cat】
· 猴子 【hóuzi=monkey】
15. As the radical on the left, 虫 【chóng】is often used to describe anything related to insects. For examples:
- 蝇【yíng=fly】
- 蟋蟀【xīshuài=cricket】
- 蜂【fēng= bee, wasp】
16. As the radical on the left, 木 【mù】is often used to describe anything that is related to tree or wood. For example:
- 树林【shùlín= grove】
- 板【bǎn= board】
- 根【gēn= root of a plant】
17. As the radical on the left, 鱼 【yú】is often used to describe anything that relates to fish. For example:
- 鱿鱼【yóuyú= squid】
- 鲵【ní= salamander】
- 鲒【jié= oyster】
18. As the radical on the left, 足【zú】is often used to describe anything that relates to the foot. For example:
- 跑【pǎo=run, escape】
- 跳【tiào= jump, leap】
- 跟【gēn=heel, follow】
19. As the radical on the left, 金 【jīn】is often used to describe anything that is related to gold or metal. For example:
- 钴【gǔ=cobalt】
- 钱【qián=money】
Description: In ancient Chinese, people used metal coins as payment.
- 钟【zhōng= clock, time as measured in hours and minutes】
Description: Time is precious like gold.
20. As the radical on the left, 目 【mù】 is often used to describe anything that related to the eye. For example:
- 眼睛【yǎnjing=eye】
- 眼眶【yǎnkuàng= eye socket, rim of the eye】
- 眯【mī= narrow (one's eyes)】
Learning the form of the radical on the left allows you to get a general idea of what the charater may relate to.