Radical 囗

8 strokes

國

enclosed 囗 (24a) + jade 玉 (60b) = country 国

Here is another ghostly archetype, indicating the pronunciation is closer to “gwo” than “go” (see the text following Character 59).

[中国 (33) zhōngguó China]

The jade crown is enclosed in a theft-proof case at the exhibition as it is a very important part of the country’s heritage. / The legendary ghostly fairy who came from the Gobi desert guards it.

one 一 (1) + earth 土 (54a) = king 王

The unicorn (telling the story of excalibur) sticks his horn into the earth, then withdraws it with a flourish to demonstrate how the young arthur became king. / [No pronunciation needed]

king 王 (60a) + a drop 丶 (22a) = jade 玉

This is similar to the situation for 太 (Character 48). In 玉 the drop is low down in the character, and the story reflects this. this is to keep it distinct in your mind from another character you’ll meet later (主, Character 297), which has a drop on top of a king.

The king is out jogging and as each drop of sweat touches the ground it turns to jade. / [No pronunciation needed]