Every kanji character can be decomposed in one or multiple components. Each one of those components are called "radicals". They help to identify a specific character in Japanese dictionaries. For example, the character 安 is formed by two different radicals: 宀 and 女.

Sometimes those radicals have some meaning related to the final meaning of the kanji, but that's not always the case.

Where to look for a radical

Inside the character, the radical can be found in 7 different positions:

1. On left side (へん): 海 冷 阪
2. On right side (つくり): 刊 頭 都
3. On top (かんむり): 茶 安 空
4. On bottom (あし): 恭 烈
5. On Top left side (たれ): 原 病
6. On bottom left side (にょう): 道 起
7. Enclosure (かまえ): 間 国

Select radicals to find the kanji character

Once the radicals in the character have been identified, just select them on the list below. The list of radicals is ordered by stroke count to make it easier to find them.

Once the radicals are selected, a list of kanji characters will appear. All the jōyō kanji are marked with a star. The results can be ordered by different parameters:

• Frequency of use in modern Japanese based on appearance in newspaper articles
• Number of strokes
• School grade where the kanji is taught