# 士 samurai radical

(samurai radical) 土 (earth)
★★★☆☆
3 strokes
BETA PK STRONG SUF
The actual kanji for 'samurai' is '侍.'

But in school, all the teachers tell you that 士　means samurai, so what the fuck. So, this is the 'samurai radical'.

It is never used by itself, but it means "violent or socially respected job."

## Onyomi

SHI | SHE's harrier than most male samurai. Ironic? Maybe. Sexy, you bet.

## Mnemonic

| This is basically earth (土), but instead of the bottom stroke being long, the top stroke is long. You can think of it like this: The bottom stroke of earth (土 ) is longer, because the bottom stroke represents the horizon, extending a million miles in each direction. Whereas, in Samurai,(士) the top stroke is longer, because he's angry and has both arms extended to cut you with his swords, because you rose up against the unjust feudal system. Or whatever. I just am not feeling those guys.

## Jukugo

兵士(へいし) | infantryman, low-ranking soldier ★★☆☆☆ 兵 (soldier) + 士 (samurai radical) = 兵士 (infantryman, low-ranking soldier)
武士(ぶし) | samurai ★★☆☆☆ 武 (military) + 士 (samurai radical) = 武士 (samurai) White kids say 'samurai', but real Japanese usually say ぶし. It can also be used to refer to the whole social class, as in　武士精神 （ぶしせいしん = samruai spirit) or　武士道 （ぶしどう = the honor-code of the samurai)
力士(りきし) | Sumo rassler ★★☆☆☆ FP 力 (strong) + 士 (samurai radical) = 力士 (Sumo rassler)
消防士(しょうぼうし) | firefighter ★★☆☆☆ 消 (erase) + 防 (ward off) + 士 (samurai radical) = 消防士 (firefighter)

## Lookalikes

| Meaning | Hint | Radical
--- | --- | --- | ---
土 | earth | BOTTOM LINE LONGER |
士 | samurai radical | TOP LINE LONGER |

Earth (土 ) basically represents across planted on the ground. The bottom stroke is longer, because it is the horizon, extending a million miles in each direction.

Whereas, in Samurai,(士) the top stroke is longer, because he's angry and has both arms ethe top stroke is longer, because he's angry and has both arms extended to cut you with his swords, because you rose up against the unjust feudal system. Or whatever. I just am not feeling those guys.

## Used In

- 鼓
- 仕
- 志
- 吉
- 売
- 壮
- 声
- 喜

## Synonyms

samurai 武士 侍
soldier 軍人 兵士