How to Write 篦 (bì) — Meaning “fine-toothed comb”

Imagine the top 竹 as two bamboo sticks forming the handle of a comb. The bottom part 毖 looks like three small daggers (匕) placed closely together, representing the fine, sharp teeth of the comb. This image helps link the shape to the meaning of a fine-toothed comb.

The character has 16 strokes. First write the radical 竹 (6 strokes), then the lower part 毖: start with the left 匕, then the right 匕 (forming 比), and finally the bottom 匕. Common mistakes include misplacing the bottom 匕 — it should be centered directly under the 比 pair.

篦 (bì) means a fine-toothed comb for hair, while 箅 (bì) is a bamboo grate for steaming food. 箍 (gū) means a hoop or band used to bind barrels. Visually, 篦 has 毖 in the lower part, 箅 has 畀, and 箍 has 姑 — all different components.

篦 appears in words like 篦子 (bì zi), a fine-toothed comb historically used to remove lice. The verb 篦头 (bì tóu) means to comb hair with such a comb. Though less common today, it is preserved in traditional grooming tools and some regional practices.

Common words containing 篦 include: 篦子 (bì zi) — fine-toothed comb; 篦头 (bì tóu) — to comb hair with a fine-toothed comb; 竹篦 (zhú bì) — Fine-toothed bamboo comb.