214 Kanji Radicals (Bushu)

Q: What are kanji radicals (bushu)?

Kanji radicals are the building blocks of kanji characters. Each kanji is composed of one or more radicals. There are 214 traditional Kangxi radicals used to classify and look up kanji in dictionaries.

Q: Why should I learn kanji radicals?

Learning radicals helps you: 1) Look up unknown kanji in dictionaries, 2) Remember kanji more easily by understanding their components, 3) Guess the meaning or pronunciation of unfamiliar kanji.

Radicals are the building blocks of kanji. Click any radical to see kanji containing it.

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About Kanji Radicals

What are kanji radicals (bushu)?

Radicals are the building blocks of kanji characters. Each kanji is composed of one or more radicals. There are 214 traditional Kangxi radicals used to classify and look up kanji in dictionaries.

How many kanji radicals are there?

There are 214 traditional Kangxi radicals, ranging from 1 stroke to 17 strokes.

Why should I learn kanji radicals?

Learning radicals helps you look up unknown kanji, remember kanji more easily, and guess the meaning of unfamiliar kanji.

Japanese KANJI Dictionary