Chinese characters can be made up of radicals and other components, which can help convey different meanings. In this video series, international students explore their favorite Chinese characters through the radicals that make them special.
For Nigerian student Ruolan, it is the food radical. "Food and drink instantly bring us closer to each other," she said. Having come to Xiamen University from Nigeria, she has been moved by the warmth and liveliness of campus life, from sharing stories and food with friends at the school cafe to enjoying snacks and dumplings at the canteen. For her, the food radical is more than a component in Chinese characters. It represents the warmth, care, and friendship shared over a meal.
