This is a part of the Introduction to Wubi Input Method series. Previous chapter was about secondary shapes.
This time let’s learn secondary shapes from the vertical stroke region!
This key contains secondary keys of four types. First of all, it’s the top part of 具 which looks almost like the root shape. Next there are visually similar 上, 止, and the bottom part of 足 with 上 being the shortcut shape (which will be explained in the following chapter). Third kind is visually similar top parts of 虎 and 皮. You might as well remember the codes, for tiger radical it is ha, and for the skin radical, hc. Finally, this key is the shape key for vertical stroke 丨, and it also contains visually similar 卜.
This key contains 曰 that is almost indistinguishable from the root shape, the right bottom element in 临 which looks like root shape that tripped and fell, 早 that contains it, and also 虫 for obscure reasons. Besides, it’s the double shape key for vertical stroke, which means it not only contains the first element of 贤, but also the right-positioned form of the knife radical, 刂.
You will use this key mostly for its root shape. There’s only one other shape 川 due to it being the ‘triple’ shape character for vertical stroke. But this does not mean that Wubi considers the first stroke as vertical, and the code for 川 character is nevertheless kthh.
This key on the opposite has a bunch of shapes more or less related with the root shape because they visually share the form 囗, as well as less obvious 车 (code for the radical is lg, traditional version has the code lghh) and 力 (code for the radical is lt).
Also, it’s the second time when the ‘quadruple’ key comes into place. Four vertical strokes can be combined with a couple of other secondary shapes to get the top part of 無 or 舞 that has the code rlg.
And finally, the key from this region that is located on the bottom row. It’s secondary shapes are mostly revolving around the element 冂 or are somewhat similar to the mountain shape like 由 and 冎.
Keep practicing the secondary shapes and stay tuned for the next chapter! We’ll finally get over with secondary shapes and also talk about shortcuts.