乚

yǐ

radical variant

Meanings

1 hidden second radical (variant of 乙)
2 right/lower form of the second radical, Kangxi #5

Tips

usage

乚 is one of two encoded variants of Kangxi radical #5 (乙) - this one shows up as a curving hook stroke on the right or lower portion of a host character. Its sibling 乛 sits on top with a flatter shape; lookalike but different position. Never written alone; the standalone form is 乙.

history

Exact origin uncertain in detail - 乚 is best understood as a single-stroke calligraphic compression of 乙, originally a pictograph of a curling sprout or coiled fish. When the radical hooks below or beside a component, only the lower curve survives as a single brush gesture.

usage

Visible as the hooked tail in 乱 (chaotic), 札 (tag/letter), 也 (also), 乳 (milk). For everyday reading, recognize the curve as the 乙 family doing duty as a final stroke.

Radical

Second Kangxi #5

The 乙 radical, pictographic of a coiled or curving shape. Indexes characters whose body is built from a hooked curve (九, 也, 乱, 乳). Productivity is low, but the slot survives because the curve is hard to classify under any other radical.

Forms

乙 yǐ

Default 5 characters

乛 yǐ

Top 1 characters

乚 yǐ

Right 5 characters

Used in

Showing 5 of 5 · right form 乚 of 乙

也 yě

also · too

乱 luàn

messy · disorderly

乳 rǔ

breast · milk

乜 miē

to squint (one's eyes) · to look at sideways with narrowed eyes

乜 Niè

surname Nie

Stroke Order