contributes the sense of a set of bound pipes — a flute — and by extension things that pass or flow through tubes and mouths · Kangxi radical 214

contributes the sense of a set of bound pipes — a flute — and by extension things that pass or flow through tubes and mouths

龠 pictured a panpipe: several hollow tubes lashed side by side and blown across the top. You can still read that picture in the modern form — the pointed 亼 at the top is the mouthpiece or binding cap, the small boxes under it are the open ends of the pipes, and the 冊 at the bottom is the bundle of tubes tied together, the same shape used for bamboo strips bound into a book. In 龥 the pipes suggest sound sent out, a cry or appeal, while in 瀹 the sense of passing something through a channel combines with water for washing and steeping.

龠 at a glance

Meaning
contributes the sense of a set of bound pipes — a flute — and by extension things that pass or flow through tubes and mouths
Strokes
17
Characters
3
Role
Contributes sound
Kangxi radical
214

Characters with 龠 (2 of 3)

Beyond HSK · 2

Frequently asked questions

What does the component 龠 mean?

龠 means "contributes the sense of a set of bound pipes — a flute — and by extension things that pass or flow through tubes and mouths". In the characters that contain it, it contributes sound.

How many Chinese characters contain 龠?

3 characters in this dictionary contain 龠.

Is 龠 a radical?

Yes — 龠 is Kangxi radical 214, one of the 214 traditional indexing radicals used to organise Chinese dictionaries.

How many strokes does 龠 have?

龠 is written in 17 strokes.