氏 · shì

clan; surname

Radical pronunciation

Radical summary

#83

Kangxi

4

Strokes

#64

Frequency

Visual hint

A figure bowing to ancestors: a curve and a diagonal like someone bending deeply in respect.

Suggests family clan, lineage, ancestry, or reverence to forebears.

varies

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

氏

3 examples

氏

shì

surname; clan

HSK 5

民

mín

people; citizens

HSK 2

纸

zhǐ

paper

HSK 2

Clan/surname radical. Found in 氏 (surname/clan), 民 (people/citizens), 纸 (paper).

A person bowing to ancestors — the act of reverence that defines one's clan and lineage.

民: 氏 is a family clan; 民 uses 氏 as its radical, extending to the meaning of 'the people'.

What radical is this: 氏?