shǒu扌

Hand Radical (扌)

Explore 212 Chinese characters containing the Hand radical (扌), with stroke order animations and meanings.

3strokes212charactersVariant of手

This radical is a variant of 手. Characters with this radical usually relate to hand.

Also Study 扌 as a Component

Meaning clue

This radical can also be studied as a reusable character component. The component page focuses on learning patterns, examples, and memory clues.

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+0Additional Strokes

1 character

ability, talent, just now, only then

+1Additional Stroke

1 character

+2Additional Strokes

4 characters

dedicate all one's energies to a cause

to hit, strike, or beat

+3Additional Strokes

9 characters

to support with the hand or palm

lift with both hands

to deduct (money)

probe, poke, prick, pierce

to hold, to grasp, to execute

to expand, enlarge, or extend

stoke, pat, feel by hand, grope

to sweep, to clean with a broom

to raise, to lift up

+4Additional Strokes

29 characters

to dress up as, to play the role of

to pull, to tear

to disturb, to annoy

to pull, turn, or pry

skill, ability, technique

to restrain, press down, or suppress

to express, to convey

to throw, cast, or fling

to tremble, to shake, to vibrate

to resist, to oppose, to fight against

to stroke, comfort, or pacify

to throw, to toss, to discard

to dig or scratch with fingers

to swing, to brandish

to protect, to guard, to defend

to report, to announce, to inform

to resist, to refuse, to reject

to draft, to plan, to imitate

+5Additional Strokes

34 characters

["parenthesis"]

to attack in speech or writing

to drape over one's shoulders

to resist, to support, to reach, to compensate

to wipe, smear, or erase

to mortgage, to pawn, to detain

to draw out, to pull out

pucker up lips in smile

shake off, brush away

to carry on a shoulder pole

pick up with fingers

to play (a bowed instrument) to pull

to mix, to stir

to lift or carry by hand

to turn, to abduct, or a walking stick

to expand, to open up, or to make rubbings

to pull out, to extract

to drag, to pull, to delay

to pull, drag, break off, to pluck (a flower)

to detain, restrict, or be inflexible

clumsy, awkward, unskillful

to beckon, to recruit, to attract

to gather together, to draw close

to embrace, to hold, to possess

to select, to choose

+6Additional Strokes

26 characters

to include, enclose, or embrace

wipe away stains with cloth

to rescue, to save

to cup hands in salute

to tie, fasten, or bind

torture and interrogate

to join together

to hold, to grasp, to maintain

carry on the arm/over one's shoulder/at one's side

to pick, to choose, to carry on a shoulder pole

to dig, to excavate

to hold under the arm, to coerce

to scratch, to hinder, or to yield

to make (money)

to squeeze, press, or push against

+7Additional Strokes

19 characters

to defeat, to frustrate, to subdue

to shake, to arouse, to invigorate

to pull, to draw, to lament

to cover or seal with the hand

to poke or stab with something pointed

to tie, bind, or bundle

to catch, to seize, to grasp

break open, split open

defend, guard, protect

drive backwards

hold between the fingers

to catch, to seize, to capture

to diminish, to harm, to lose

to change (to another one)

to pound, to beat, to stir

+8Additional Strokes

28 characters

hold or carry in both hands

to beat or pound with the fist

quick, fast, agile

to press down heavily with the fingers

to twist or nip with the fingers

to lift, to raise, to overturn

heft, hold or weigh in palm

collect, gather up, pick up

to give, to confer, to teach

to arrange in order or line up

support with the arms

to plunder, to seize, to sweep over

to explore, to search, to investigate

to control, to accuse

to cover, conceal, or shut

to arrange, to handle, to manage

to throw, to cast

to mix, to blend, to add into

to trace, copy, or depict

+10Additional Strokes

12 characters

to fight, to struggle, to wrestle

cramp, spasm, convulsion

ward off, evade

to carry, to bring along

to take in, absorb, or act for another

exclude, expel, reject

feel [with the hand]

+11Additional Strokes

5 characters

to fall, to tumble, to throw down

to break, destroy, or crush

put down, put aside

+12Additional Strokes

13 characters

to support, prop up, or hold up

to scatter, to sprinkle, to cast

to remove, withdraw, or take away

to pry, to lever open or up

to sow, to broadcast, to spread

little bit, small amount, pinch

to write, to compose (literary work)

to drive away, expel

catch, capture, seize, arrest

+13Additional Strokes

5 characters

to shake, to vibrate, to move

to hold, to grasp, to operate, to conduct

shake, tremble, quake

+14Additional Strokes

1 character

+16Additional Strokes

1 character

collect together

+17Additional Strokes

1 character

to push up sleeves

+20Additional Strokes

1 character

snatch away, seize

Common Words with the Hand Radical (扌)

打电话dǎ diàn huà

to make a telephone call

to open

to take a taxi (in town)

打篮球dǎ lán qiú

play basketball

刚才gāng cái

just now

to clean

人才rén cái

a talented person; talent

天才tiān cái

genius; talent; gift

才华cái huá

talent

才干cái gàn

ability; competence; capability

sturdy; strong

挣扎zhēng zhá

struggle

Hand Radical (扌) FAQ

Common questions about the Hand radical (扌) and how to use it for learning Chinese characters.

What is the Hand radical (扌) in Chinese?

The Hand radical (扌) is one of the 214 Kangxi radicals used to classify Chinese characters. It has 3 strokes and appears in 212 characters in our database, including 弧, 才, 扎, 扑, 扒. Characters containing this radical often relate to "hand".

How many Chinese characters use the 扌 radical?

There are 212 Chinese characters that use the Hand radical (扌) in our database. These characters span various levels of frequency and complexity.

How do I write the 扌 radical?

The Hand radical (扌) consists of 3 strokes. It is a simplified variant of the full character 手. To practice writing characters with this radical, click on any character in the list above to see its complete stroke order animation.

How does the 扌 radical help me learn Chinese characters?

Knowing the Hand radical (扌) helps in three ways: (1) Dictionary lookup — you can find characters by radical and remaining stroke count, (2) Meaning clues — characters with 扌 often relate to "hand", helping you guess meanings of unfamiliar characters, (3) Memory aid — recognizing the radical as a building block makes it easier to remember and distinguish similar-looking characters.