找
zhǎo · to look for / to seek · HSK 1
Use your hand (扌) to hold a long stick (戈) and probe the ground to SEARCH for what you lost.
Chinese radical · Beginner guide
扌 (shǒu) — the hand radical
扌 is the squeezed side form of 手 (hand). Space forces the change: a full 手 won't fit beside another component, so it compresses into three strokes on the left. Characters with 扌 almost always involve hands or hand actions.
扌 is the squeezed side form of 手. Space forces the change: a full 手 won't fit beside another component, so it compresses into 3 strokes on the left — the same idea in a side form, not a new component.
Why it matters
98 of InkSeal's 1,799 HSK 1–6 characters contain this component — learn it once, recognize it everywhere.
Beginner characters with 扌
Each of these HSK 1–3 characters contains 扌. Tap through for the full visual mnemonic, common words, and example sentences.
打
dǎ · to hit / to strike · HSK 1
Use your hand (扌) to hit a nail (丁).
接
jiē · to connect / to catch · HSK 2
A hand reaches out to catch the red tie and connect with the hanging 妾 charm: 接.
拉
lā · to pull / to drag · HSK 2
Use your hand 扌 and stand firm 立 to pull.
护
hù · to protect / to guard · HSK 2
A HAND stands by the DOOR to PROTECT what is inside.
掉
diào · to drop / to fall · HSK 2
The hand 扌 flicks something from 卓, and it drops: 掉.
换
huàn · to change / to exchange · HSK 2
A hand 扌 reaches out and swaps the red lantern with 奂 — that is 换, to exchange.
提
tí · to lift / to carry · HSK 2
Use your hand (扌) to lift up the glowing lantern that is (是) shining brightly.
报
bào · to report / to announce · HSK 2
A hand presents a sealed message: that is how you REPORT the news.
挺
tǐng · straight / upright · HSK 2
A hand holds the bamboo挺—straight and upright.
排
pái · to arrange / to line up · HSK 2
Use your HAND (扌) to ARRANGE the items into two neat ROWS (非).
推
tuī · to push / to shove · HSK 2
A hand 扌 gently pushes the bird 隹 forward: 推 means “to push.”
More radicals to learn
口 (mouth) · 氵 (water) · 木 (wood) · 亻 (person) · 讠 (speech) — or start from the beginner's guide to all 40 radicals.
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