When the formation data identifies 小 / ⺌ as semantic, the relevant character record states that role.
← All 214 radical families
Semantic role Phonetic role Radical classification
小
Radical 42 of 214 · 3 strokes
Small
xiǎo · forms 小 / ⺌
Unicode uses 小 as a Kangxi radical category. Its reference meaning is small, tiny, insignificant. The relationship to an individual character may be semantic, historical, or primarily classificatory.
7 course characters29 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
7 course characters
Expand a character to view its structure, formation analysis, and related HSK words.
Showing 7 characters.
小xiǎosmall, tiny, insignificantDetails+
formation note
Formation: Pictograph of three small dots, representing grains of sand or rice, to convey the meaning "small".
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 小 small
- Visual structure
- 亅 + 八
HSK words with 小12 words in this course
少shǎofew, little; less; inadequateDetails+
formation note
Formation: Pictograph of four small dots, representing grains of sand or rice, to convey the meaning "less". Similar to 小.
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 小 small
- Visual structure
- 小 + 丿
HSK words with 少6 words in this course
尔ěryou; that, those; final particleDetails+
formation note
Formation: Simplified form of 爾. Origin unclear. Used in ancient texts to mean "you".
Formation source · Dong Chinese Lexicon- Category radical
- 小 small
- Visual structure
- ⺈ + 小
HSK words with 尔1 word in this course
尝chángto taste; to experience, to experiment withDetails+
simplified form
Formation: Simplified form of 嘗. Phonosemantic compound. 旨 represents the meaning and 尚 represents the sound.
- 云Simplified formcloud
- 尚Phonetic componentvalue; esteem
- Category radical
- ⺌ small
- Visual structure
- 尚 + 云
- Also indexed under
- 厶 private
HSK words with 尝3 words in this course
尘chéncinders, ashes, dust, dirtDetails+
compound formation
Compound formation: Small 小 flakes of earth 土
- Category radical
- 小 small
- Visual structure
- 小 + 土
- Also indexed under
- 土 earth
HSK words with 尘1 word in this course
尚shàngstill, yet; even; fairly, ratherDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Pictograph of a large room or platform.
- 冂Pictographic componenthall; platform
- 口Role unclearmouth
- Category radical
- ⺌ small
- Visual structure
- ⺌ + 冂 + 口
HSK words with 尚4 words in this course
尖jiānsharp, pointed, acute; keen, shrewdDetails+
compound formation
Compound formation: A point, small 小 over big 大
- Category radical
- 小 small
- Visual structure
- 小 + 大
HSK words with 尖2 words 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.