首
Quick Answer
首 (shǒu) means "head, chief" with 9 strokes, radical 首 (head), HSK 4 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
shǒu
Meaning
Primary: head
Other meanings:
- chief
Etymology
A head with hair on top — head, first
Mnemonic hooks the visual decomposition to a memorable image. The full oracle-bone to modern evolution is being added character-by-character via the Phase 13 etymology pass.
Basic info
| Pinyin | shǒu |
| Meanings | head, chief |
| Stroke count | 9 strokes |
| Radical | 首 (#185: head) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 4 |
| Frequency | #870 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 首
Related characters
On the new HSK 4 exam
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.