矢 · shǐ

arrow

Radical pronunciation

Radical summary

#111

Kangxi

5

Strokes

#84

Frequency

Visual hint

A flying arrow: straight shaft and sharp tip pointing forward.

Suggests arrows, archery, straight direction, or an oath (ancients swore by arrows).

varies

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

矢

3 examples

知

zhī

to know; knowledge

HSK 1

短

duǎn

short (length)

HSK 3

医

yī

medicine; doctor

HSK 2

Arrow radical. Found in 医 (medicine — simplified), 知 (to know), 短 (short).

An arrow leaving the bow: straight, fast, irretrievable — like an oath and the truth.

矛: 矢 is an arrow shot at distance; 矛 is a hand-held spear — both weapons but used differently.

What radical is this: 矢?