止 · zhǐ

stop; foot

Radical pronunciation

Radical summary

#77

Kangxi

4

Strokes

#19

Frequency

Visual hint

The ancient form suggests a footprint coming to a stop.

Often relates to feet, stopping, direction, or movement.

em cimaembaixoisolado

Trace the radical, simplified, traditional, and variant forms when available.

止

3 examples

正

zhèng

correct; straight

HSK 2

止

zhǐ

to stop

HSK 3

步

bù

step

HSK 3

The radical 止 historically relates to the foot and stopping.

Think of 止 as a footprint that has stopped.

正: 止 is stop/foot; 正 adds a top horizontal stroke and means correct or straight.

What is the radical in the character 正?