部首
ぶしゅ · bushu · JLPT N2 · noun
radical
🪓 部 = part, 首 = head: the 'head' or main part that sorts kanji into groups
Each kanji has one radical that acts like its category label. Spot the radical first, and the rest of the character narrows down its meaning and sound.
部 — 阝(邑) right + 咅 phonetic
The right-side 阝 derives from 邑 (city/settlement), giving the meaning of a region, district, or administrative division. The left side 咅 supplies the sound. Originally referring to a settlement, the meaning broadened to 'part,' 'section,' or 'ministry.'
首 — hair 丷 over face 自 (eye + nose)
首 is a pictograph of a head, originally drawn with hair on top and a face below (containing the eye element 目). It meant 'head' literally, then extended to 'chief, leader, first' since the head is the topmost and foremost part of the body.