穴 · xué

cave; hole

Radical pronunciation

Radical summary

#116

Kangxi

5

Strokes

#86

Frequency

Visual hint

A cave or hole: a roof-radical on top and a divide-stroke below like a cave opening.

Suggests a cave, hole, acupuncture point, or a hollow space.

varies

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

穴

3 examples

空

kōng

empty; space; sky

HSK 1

窗

chuāng

window

HSK 3

突

tū

sudden; to protrude; to dash

HSK 4

Cave/hole radical. Found in 空 (empty/space), 窗 (window), 突 (sudden/to protrude).

A cave seen from outside: rock ceiling on top, mouth opening wide below — dark and deep.

宀: 穴 = 宀 + 八 suggests a deep open cave; 宀 alone is just a roof without the hollow interior.

What radical is this: 穴?