氏

names a clan or family line · Kangxi radical 83

names a clan or family line, though in most characters it simply carries the sound (zhǐ, shì, qí, dī)

The original graph is unclear: the small squiggle with a bent stroke and a downward hook has been read as a person bending low, as a ladle, and as a root growing off a stem, and none of these is settled. In the modern shape you can still see a short top stroke, a leaning body, and a long curved leg swinging to the right. Whatever it first pictured, it early on came to write "clan, surname," and in the characters here it mostly lends only its sound — paper 纸, licking 舐, the herb 芪 — sometimes through its close relative 氐. In 旅 and 昏 the similar-looking piece comes from a different origin and only resembles 氏.

氏 at a glance

Meaning

names a clan or family line

Strokes

4

Characters

11

Role

Usually contributes sound

Kangxi radical

83

Characters with 氏 (10 of 11)

Frequently asked questions