This sheet continues the 50 most useful Chinese radicals with numbers 11 to 20: 土 (tǔ), 女 (nǚ), 宀 (mián), 日 (rì), 艹 (cǎo), 火 (huǒ), 刂 (dāo), 贝 (bèi), 钅 (jīn), 竹 (zhú). They are ranked by how many characters on the HSK 3.0 level 1–6 reading lists each one heads. For every radical you trace its shape stroke by stroke, then write a common character that contains it, such as 地 (dì) for 土. Say the character aloud as you write and notice where the radical sits: on the left, on top or underneath. The full chart of all 214 radicals, with meanings and examples, is on the Chinese radicals list page.
Radicals 11–20
Trace each radical, then write the example character after it on the sheet.
Common Chinese radicals 11–20| Rank | Radical and forms | Pinyin | Meaning | Name | Examples | HSK 1–6 characters |
|---|
| 11 | 土 | tǔ | earth; soil | 提土旁 títǔpáng | 地 dì, ground; earth; place; 场 chǎng, field; place; 坐 zuò, to sit | 33 |
| 12 | 女 | nǚ | woman; female | 女字旁 nǚzìpáng | 她 tā, she; her; 妈 mā, mom; mother; 好 hǎo, good; well | 33 |
| 13 | 宀 | mián | roof | 宝盖头 bǎogàitóu | 家 jiā, home; family; 安 ān, safe; calm; peaceful; 室 shì, room | 33 |
| 14 | 日 | rì | sun; day | 日字旁 rìzìpáng | 明 míng, bright; 时 shí, time; hour; 早 zǎo, early; morning | 32 |
| 15 | 艸 艹
艹: top form, as in 花 | cǎo | grass | 草字头 cǎozìtóu | 茶 chá, tea; 菜 cài, dish; vegetable; 花 huā, flower | 30 |
| 16 | 火 灬
灬: bottom form, called 四点底, as in 点 | huǒ | fire | 火字旁 huǒzìpáng | 灯 dēng, lamp; light; 点 diǎn, dot; point; o'clock; 热 rè, hot | 30 |
| 17 | 刀 刂 ⺈
刂: right side, as in 到; ⺈: top form, as in 色 | dāo | knife | 立刀旁 lìdāopáng | 到 dào, to arrive; to; 别 bié, don't; other; 分 fēn, to divide; minute; point | 29 |
| 18 | 貝 贝
贝: simplified form | bèi | shell; money | 贝字旁 bèizìpáng | 贵 guì, expensive; 费 fèi, fee; to spend; 购 gòu, to buy | 28 |
| 19 | 金 钅 釒
钅: simplified left side, as in 钱; 釒: traditional left side, as in 錢 | jīn | gold; metal | 金字旁 jīnzìpáng | 钱 qián, money; 钟 zhōng, clock; bell; 银 yín, silver | 24 |
| 20 | 竹 ⺮
⺮: top form, as in 笔 | zhú | bamboo | 竹字头 zhúzìtóu | 笔 bǐ, pen; 第 dì, ordinal prefix (as in 第一 first); 等 děng, to wait | 24 |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this worksheet free to download as a PDF?
Yes. The Common Chinese Radicals 11–20 worksheet is free to print or save as a PDF, with no account or email needed. Press Print / Download PDF: on a computer the PDF opens ready to print or save, and on a phone it goes to your share sheet. A4 or US Letter follows your country.
What level is this worksheet?
It suits learners from about HSK 1. That is an editorial estimate for the Common Chinese Radicals 11–20 topic, not an official HSK word list, so a few of its 20 words may be harder. Each word prints with tone-marked pinyin and an English meaning to help.
Can I print copies for my class?
Yes. Print as many copies as you like — it's free. For a class set, press Change the words and open More options to add an answer key, a class line or a dictation page; the Student PDF leaves the key out. Test turns the sheet into a quiz.
Can I change the words or use traditional characters?
Yes. Press Change the words to open this sheet in the generator, then add, remove or replace words, up to 20 per sheet. Set Characters to Traditional to switch the whole sheet to traditional characters; a word with no verified traditional form stays as you typed it.
How should I practice with this worksheet?
Trace the gray guides first, saying each word aloud, then cover the model and write the characters from memory in the blank boxes. Scan the sheet's QR code or open the Practice tab to watch each stroke animate, trace it, then recall it without a guide. Revisit missed words a day or two later.