When the formation data identifies 寸 as semantic, the relevant character record states that role.
← All 214 radical families
Semantic role Phonetic role Radical classification
寸
Radical 41 of 214 · 3 strokes
Inch
cùn
Unicode uses 寸 as a Kangxi radical category. Its reference meaning is inch; small, tiny; Kangxi radical 41. The relationship to an individual character may be semantic, historical, or primarily classificatory.
15 course characters111 character–word links
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
15 course characters
Expand a character to view its structure, formation analysis, and related HSK words.
Showing 15 characters.
对duìcorrect, right; facing, opposedDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 對. Origin unclear. Appears to be a hand using some sort of tool, possibly a rake or a hoe.
- 又Simplified form(hand); again
- 寸Pictographic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 又 + 寸
- Also indexed under
- 又 again
HSK words with 对23 words in this course
對duìcorrect, right; facing, opposedDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Origin unclear. Appears to be a hand using some sort of tool, possibly a rake or a hoe.
- ◎Role unclearcharacterless component
- 寸Pictographic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 业 + 羊 + 寸
HSK words with 對23 words in this course
导dǎoto direct, to guide, to lead, to conductDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 導. Phonosemantic compound. 寸 represents the meaning and 道 represents the sound.
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- 已Simplified formalready; finish
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 巳 + 寸
HSK words with 导13 words in this course
封fēngenvelope, letter; to confer, to grant; feudalDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 寸 represents the meaning and 丰 represents the sound.
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- 丰Phonetic componentabundant; fertile
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 圭 + 寸
HSK words with 封5 words in this course
将jiāngthe future, what will be; ready, prepared; a generalDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 將. Depicts a hand (寸) taking a piece of meat (肉), conveying the meaning "take". 爿 (qiáng) is a sound component.
- 丬Phonetic componentpiece of wood
- 肉Pictographic componentmeat; flesh
- 寸Pictographic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 丬 + 夕 + 寸
- Also indexed under
- 爿 half tree trunk
HSK words with 将5 words in this course
將jiāngthe future, what will be; ready, prepared; a generalDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Depicts a hand (寸) taking a piece of meat (肉), conveying the meaning "take". 爿 (qiáng) is a sound component.
- 爿Phonetic componentpiece of wood
- 肉Pictographic componentmeat; flesh
- 寸Pictographic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 爿 + 夕 + 寸
HSK words with 將5 words in this course
專zhuānconcentrated, specialized; to monopolizeDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Depicts a hand (寸) spinning a wheel (叀). Based on the original meaning "turn", now written as 轉. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
- 叀Semantic componentspindle; spinning wheel
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 叀 + 寸
HSK words with 專8 words in this course
尊zūnto honor, to respect, to venerateDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Depicts a hand (寸) giving an offering to an elder (酋) as a sign of respect.
- 酋Semantic componenttribal chief
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 酋 + 寸
HSK words with 尊3 words in this course
導dǎoto direct, to guide, to lead, to conductDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 寸 represents the meaning and 道 represents the sound.
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- 道Phonetic componentway; path
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 道 + 寸
HSK words with 導13 words in this course
寻xúnto seek; to search for, to look for; ancientDetails+
formation note
Formation: Simplified form of 尋. Pictograph of two outstretched arms searching for something.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 彐 + 寸
HSK words with 寻2 words in this course
寿shòuold age, longevity; lifespanDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 壽. The top component is a remnant of 老 (old). The origin of the bottom component is unclear.
- 耂Semantic componentold
- ◎Role unclearcharacterless component
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 丰 + 寸
HSK words with 寿1 word in this course
射shèto shoot, to eject, to emitDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Depicts a hand pulling back a bowstring with an arrow to shoot.
- ◎Pictographic componentcharacterless component
- 寸Pictographic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 身 + 寸
HSK words with 射6 words in this course
尋xúnto seek; to search for, to look for; ancientDetails+
formation note
Formation: Pictograph of two outstretched arms searching for something.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 彐 + 工 + 口 + 寸
HSK words with 尋2 words in this course
寸cùninch; small, tinyDetails+
formation note
Formation: Pictograph of a hand with a line marking a spot on the wrist. In traditional Chinese medicine this spot on the wrist where the pulse can be taken is called the 寸口.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- Not available
HSK words with 寸1 word in this course
寺sìcourt, office; temple, monasteryDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 寸 represents the meaning and 止 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning of "to grasp". The current meaning "temple" is a phonetic loan. The original meaning is now represented by the character 持 (to hold).
- 寸Semantic componentinch; thumb; (hand)
- 止Phonetic component(foot); stop
- Category radical
- 寸 inch
- Visual structure
- 土 + 寸
HSK words with 寺1 word in this course
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.