说
shuō · to speak / to say · HSK 1
To 说 is to send a red word from 讠 into the open exchange of 兑.
Chinese radical · Beginner guide
讠 (yán) — the speech radical
讠 is the squeezed side form of 言 (speech). Characters with 讠 are about speaking, language, or words — once you know the signal, words like 说 (to speak) and 话 (speech) explain themselves.
讠 is the squeezed side form of 言. Space forces the change: a full 言 won't fit beside another component, so it compresses into 2 strokes on the left — the same idea in a side form, not a new component.
Why it matters
49 of InkSeal's 1,799 HSK 1–6 characters contain this component — learn it once, recognize it everywhere.
Beginner characters with 讠
Each of these HSK 1–3 characters contains 讠. Tap through for the full visual mnemonic, common words, and example sentences.
谁
shuí · who · HSK 1
A voice 讠 asks the owl 隹: who?
话
huà · speech / talk · HSK 1
Words (话) flow like ink from the scholar's brush, which serves as the tongue (舌) of the mind (讠).
认
rèn · to recognize / to know · HSK 1
When speech meets a person, recognition lights up.
请
qǐng · please / to invite · HSK 1
Use clear words, 讠, to politely invite someone toward 青: please come in.
诉
sù · to tell / to complain · HSK 1
Use words 讠 to point out blame 斥 — that is 诉, to tell or complain.
识
shí · to know / to recognize · HSK 1
When a word from 讠 reaches the 只-shaped lantern, it lights up: now you recognize it.
谢
xiè · to thank / to apologize · HSK 1
Speak your thanks with 讠, bow your 身, and show respect with 寸.
记
jì · to remember / to record · HSK 1
Speak the words (讠) to yourself (己) so you will REMEMBER them.
试
shì · to try / to test · HSK 1
The master speaks (讠) to TEST if the student's form (式) meets the standard.
读
dú · to read / to study · HSK 1
Use your speech radical 讠 to bring the 卖-shaped book to life: that is reading, 读.
课
kè · class / lesson · HSK 1
In class, spoken words cultivate the fruit of knowledge.
More radicals to learn
口 (mouth) · 扌 (hand) · 氵 (water) · 木 (wood) · 亻 (person) — or start from the beginner's guide to all 40 radicals.
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