Roadmap Resources Book a Lesson

Kanji Radicals Guide

Master characters by understanding their building blocks (部首 - Bushu). 🧩

💡 Tips for Learning Kanji

1
Kanji are Puzzles Understand that Kanji are not single pictures, but combinations of parts called "radicals".
2
Group by Radicals Divide Kanji into groups by their radicals and learn the common meanings they share.
3
Create Stories For example, in "休", a "person (人)" is next to a "tree (木)", so it means "rest". Turn radicals into parts of a story.

1. Radicals Related to "People" (Humans)

Person Radical (Nin-ben) Related to humans or people
(きゅう)
Rest
(たい)
Body
(なに)
What
(だい)
Era/Fee
Human Legs Radical (Hito-ashi) Legs or walking
(せん)
Earlier
(げん)
Origin
(こう)
Light

2. Radicals Related to "Nature & Environment"

Water Radical (Sanzui) Water or liquids
(うみ)
Sea
(かん)
Chinese
(いけ)
Pond
(あら)う
Wash
Fire Radical (Hi / Rekka) Fire, heat, or burning
(や)く
Bake
(ねつ)
Heat
(て)る
Shine
Sun Radical (Hi-hen) Sun, time, or brightness
(じ)
Time
(めい)
Bright
(よう)
Day
(ばん)
Evening
Tree Radical (Ki-hen) Trees, plants, or wood products
(はやし)
Grove
(もり)
Forest
(こう)
School
(つくえ)
Desk
Grass Radical (Kusa-kanmuri) Grass, flowers, or vegetation
(はな)
Flower
(ちゃ)
Tea
(くすり)
Medicine
(さい)
Vegetable
Earth Radical (Tsuchi-hen) Earth, land, or location
(ち)
Earth
(ば)
Place
(しろ)
Castle
(かた)
Model/Shape

3. Radicals Related to "Body & Organs"

Mouth Radical (Kuchi-hen) Actions using the mouth
(す)う
Suck/Smoke
(よ)ぶ
Call
(あじ)
Taste
(な)く
Chirp
Eye Radical (Me-hen) Eyes or seeing
(み)る
See
(がん)
Eye
(ねむ)い
Sleepy
(なが)める
Stare
Hand Radical (Te-hen) Actions using hands
(も)つ
Hold
(う)つ
Hit
(ひろ)う
Pick Up
(ゆび)
Finger

4. Radicals Related to "Buildings & Movement"

Roof Radical (U-kanmuri) Roofs, houses, or living spaces
(いえ)
House
(しつ)
Room
(あん)
Cheap/Safe
宿 (しゅく)
Inn
Movement Radical (Shinnyo) Movement, road, or walking
(みち)
Road
(すす)む
Advance
(ちか)い
Near
(とお)る
Pass through
Gate Radical (Mon-gamae) Gates or entry points
(あいだ)
Interval
(き)く
Hear
(あ)ける
Open
(し)める
Close

5. Radicals Related to "Heart & State"

Heart Radical (Risshin-ben) Emotions, thoughts, or feelings
(おも)う
Think
(いそ)ぐ
Hurry
(じょう)
Condition
(いそが)しい
Busy