When the formation data identifies 宀 as semantic, the relevant character record states that role.
Roof
mián
Unicode uses 宀 as a Kangxi radical category. Its reference meaning is roof; Kangxi radical 40. The relationship to an individual character may be semantic, historical, or primarily classificatory.
Semantic–phonetic characters identify the component associated with historical pronunciation.
The primary dictionary radical is shown independently of any claim about modern meaning.
Character index
49 course characters
Expand a character to view its structure, formation analysis, and related HSK words.
Showing 49 characters.
客kèguest, traveller; customerDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 各 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 各Phonetic componenteach; every
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 各
家jiāhouse, home, residence; familyDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 豕 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 豕Phonetic componenthog
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 豕
寫xiěto write; to draw, to sketch; to composeDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 舄 represents the sound. The contribution of the 宀 (roof) component to the meaning is unclear. Perhaps used since writing is typically done indoors.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 舄Phonetic componentshoe, slipper
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 舄
它tāit; otherDetails+
Formation: Pictograph of a snake, now written as 蛇. The current use as a pronoun is a phonetic loan.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 匕
完wánto complete, to finish, to settle; wholeDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 元 represents the sound. The 宀 component is used because putting on a roof completes the process of constructing a building.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 元Phonetic componentfirst; primary; currency unit
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 元
宜yífitting, proper, right; what one should doDetails+
Formation: Originally a pictograph of two pieces of meat (肉) on a table. Based on the original meaning "delicacy" or "fine food". The meaning later shifted to "proper".
- ◎Pictographic componentcharacterless component
- ⺼Pictographic componentmeat; flesh
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 且
室shìhouse, home; room, chamberDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 至 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 至Phonetic componentarrive
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 至
宾bīnguest, visitor; surname; submitDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 兵 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賓.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 兵Phonetic componentsoldier; force; weapon; army
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 兵
安ānpeaceful, tranquil, quietDetails+
Formation: Variously explained as (1) a woman is what makes a home feel peaceful, or (2) a woman feels safe under the shelter of a roof.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 女Semantic componentwoman; female
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 女
定dìngto decide, to fix, to settle; to order; definite, fixed, sureDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 正Phonetic componentstraight; correct
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 疋
实shíreal, true; honest, sincereDetails+
Formation: Simplified form of 實. 貫 is a pictograph of a string of money. Based on the original meaning "thrive; plentiful". The meaning later shifted to "real", "true", and "fruit".
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 头Simplified formhead
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 头
害hàito injure, to harm; to destroy, to killDetails+
Formation: Pictograph of a lid over a container. Based on the original meaning "lid", now written as 蓋. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 丰 + 口
容róngappearance, looks; form, figure; to contain, to holdDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 公 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 公Phonetic componentpublic; just
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 谷
實shíreal, true; honest, sincereDetails+
Formation: 貫 is a pictograph of a string of money. Based on the original meaning "thrive; plentiful". The meaning later shifted to "real", "true", and "fruit".
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 貫Semantic componentpierce through, string together; string of coins
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 貫
寄jìto mail, to send, to transit; to deposit, to entrust; to rely onDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 奇 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 奇Phonetic componentwonderful; strange; surprising; unusual
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 奇
密mìsecret, confidential; intimate, close; dense, thickDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 宓 represents the sound.
- 山Semantic componentmountain
- 宓Phonetic componentstill; silent
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宓 + 山
富fùabundant, ample; rich, wealthyDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 畐 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 畐Phonetic componentfull; filled
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 畐
寒hánchilly, cold; poor; to shiver, to trembleDetails+
Dictionary relationship: Unicode indexes this character under 宀 “roof.” The modern meaning connection may be indirect or historical.
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀
察cháto examine, to investigate, to observeDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 祭 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 祭Phonetic componentoffer sacrifice
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 祭
宁níngcalm, peaceful; healthy; rather; to preferDetails+
Formation: Simplified form of 寧. Phonosemantic compound. 丁 represents the sound and the other components represent the meaning. The traditional component 心 was removed for simplification. The traditional component 皿 was removed for simplification.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 心Removed in simplifiedheart
- 皿Removed in simplifieddish; vessel
- 丁Phonetic componentrobust
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 丁
守shǒuto defend, to guard, to protect; to conserve; to waitDetails+
Formation: Depicts a hand (寸) guarding a building (宀).
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 寸
宝bǎotreasure, jewel; rare, preciousDetails+
Formation: Simplified form of 寶. Pictograph an assortment of valuable things, including jade (玉) and shells (貝), being stored safely under a roof (宀). The 缶 component represents the sound. The traditional component 缶 was removed for simplification. The traditional component 貝 was removed for simplification.
- 宀Pictographic componentroof
- 玉Pictographic componentjade; gem
- 缶Removed in simplifiedpottery
- 貝Removed in simplifiedshell
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 玉
宠chǒngto love; to favor, to pamper, to spoil; concubineDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 龙 represents the sound. Simplified form of 寵.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 龙Phonetic componentdragon
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 龙
官guānofficial, public servantDetails+
Formation: Depicts a knowledgeable person (師) under a roof (宀).
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 師Semantic componentteacher; master; expert
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 㠯
宣xuānto proclaim, to declare, to announce; surnameDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 亘 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 亘Phonetic componentextending all the way across; continuous
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 亘
宽kuānbroad, spacious, vast, wideDetails+
Formation: Simplified form of 寬. Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 萈 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 苋Simplified formamaranth plant
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 苋
宴yànbanquet, feast; to entertainDetails+
Compound formation: A woman 女 cooking food 日 for a house 宀 banquet
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 妟
寂jìstill, silent, quiet, desolateDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 叔 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 叔Phonetic componentuncle (father's younger brother)
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 叔
宿sù, xiùto stop, to rest, to lodge; constellationDetails+
Compound formation: A person 亻 sleeping in a bed 百 under a roof 宀
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 佰
寓yùresidence, lodge, dwellingDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 禺 represents the sound. Simplified form of 庽.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 禺Phonetic componentregion; legendary monkey
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 禺
寞mòsilent, still; lonely, solitaryDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 莫Phonetic componentnone; do not
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 莫
寧níngcalm, peaceful; healthy; rather; to preferDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 丁 represents the sound and the other components represent the meaning.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 心Semantic componentheart
- 皿Semantic componentdish; vessel
- 丁Phonetic componentrobust
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 心 + 皿 + 丁
寬kuānbroad, spacious, vast, wideDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 萈 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 萈Phonetic componentgoat
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 艹 + 見 + 丶
寵chǒngto love; to favor, to pamper, to spoil; concubineDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 龍 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 龍Phonetic componentdragon
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 龍
寶bǎotreasure, jewel; rare, preciousDetails+
Formation: Pictograph an assortment of valuable things, including jade (玉) and shells (貝), being stored safely under a roof (宀). The 缶 component represents the sound.
- 宀Pictographic componentroof
- 𤣩Pictographic componentjade; gem
- 缶Phonetic componentpottery
- 貝Pictographic componentshell
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 珤 + 貝
宇yǔbuilding, house, room, structure; space, the universeDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 于 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 于Phonetic componentin; from; by
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 于
宅zháiresidence, dwelling, home; graveDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 乇 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 乇Phonetic componentblade of grass
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 乇
宏hónggreat, spacious, vast, wideDetails+
Semantic–phonetic formation: 宀 contributes the broad semantic category “building”; 厷 contributes the historical pronunciation.
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 厷
审shěnto examine, to investigate; to judge; to tryDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 申 represents the sound. Simplified form of 審.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 申Phonetic component(lightning); extend; state; explain
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 申
宙zhòuspace, time, space-timeDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 由 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 由Phonetic componentcause; from; due to
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 由
宗zōngancestry, clan, family, lineage; religion, sectDetails+
Formation: Depicts a spiritual (示) edifice (宀), such as an ancestral shrine.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 示Semantic component(spiritual); show; reveal
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 示
宫gōngpalace; surnameDetails+
Formation: Simplified form of 宮. Pictograph of a building with two floors.
- 宀Pictographic componentroof
- ◎Pictographic componentcharacterless component
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 吕
宪xiànconstitution, statute, lawDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 先 represents the sound. Simplified form of 憲.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 先Phonetic componentfirst; early
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 先
宮gōngpalace; surnameDetails+
Formation: Pictograph of a building with two floors.
- 宀Pictographic componentroof
- ◎Pictographic componentcharacterless component
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 呂
宵xiāonight, evening, darknessDetails+
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 肖 represents the sound.
- 宀Semantic componentroof
- 肖Phonetic componentresemble; similar
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 肖
宰zǎito slaughter, to butcher; to govern, to ruleDetails+
Compound formation: A barracks 宀 where slaves 辛 live
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 辛
寝qǐnto sleep, to rest; bedroomDetails+
Compound formation: A person 彐冖又 lying down on a bed 丬 in their home 宀
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 丬 + 彐 + 冖 + 又
寢qǐnto sleep, to rest; bedroomDetails+
Compound formation: A person 彐冖又 lying down on a bed 爿 in their home 宀
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 爿 + 彐 + 冖 + 又
審shěnto examine, to investigate; to judge; to tryDetails+
Formation: Origin unclear.
- 宀Role unclearroof
- 采Role unclearpick; pluck; gather; color
- 田Role unclearfield
- Category radical
- 宀 roof
- Visual structure
- 宀 + 番
Classification: Unicode 17.0 kRSUnicode. Structure: Make Me a Hanzi. Formation: Dong Chinese Lexicon where available, with a documented Make Me a Hanzi fallback. Method and licenses.