dou1刂
Jyutpingdou1
Yaledōu
Definition
The "knife" radical in Chinese characters.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the two stroke radical found on the right side of characters like 到 or 剛. While the formal name is 側刀旁, it is frequently called 刀字邊 in casual conversation among native speakers. It is distinct from the full 刀 radical which appears on the left or as a standalone character.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the full 刀 radical, but they are structurally distinct in how they are positioned within a character. Ensure you distinguish between the vertical orientation of 刂 and the broader shape of 刀.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
