marks an action done to something by hand — striking · Character component

marks an action done to something by hand — striking, tapping, driving or forcing a change

The old graph showed a hand gripping a stick or rod, raised to strike; the fuller form 攴 still shows the hand at the bottom with the implement above. In the squeezed variant 攵, the top short stroke and the diagonal are what remains of the raised stick, and the crossing strokes below are the flattened hand. Because it pictures hitting or prodding, it lends characters a sense of acting on something — driving it, correcting it, or making it change, as in 敦 treating with care, 敬 showing respect, and 撤 taking away.

攵 at a glance

Meaning
marks an action done to something by hand — striking
Strokes
4
Characters
59
Role
Contributes meaning

Characters with 攵 (47 of 59)

HSK 2 · 1

HSK 3 · 4

HSK 4 · 6

HSK 5 · 6

HSK 6 · 8

Beyond HSK · 22

Frequently asked questions

What does the component 攵 mean?

攵 means "marks an action done to something by hand — striking". In the characters that contain it, it contributes meaning.

How many Chinese characters contain 攵?

59 characters in this dictionary contain 攵, including ones at HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, HSK 5, HSK 6.

How many strokes does 攵 have?

攵 is written in 4 strokes.