How to Write 醭 (bú) — Meaning “Mold on liquids”

Think of the sound "bú" like "brew" — imagine a jar of brew (酉) that has gone bad and developed a "poof" (菐) of white mold on top. This visual helps connect the shape, sound, and meaning.

The right side 菐 has three layers: a grass radical 艹 on top, then 业 with two horizontal lines, and finally 八 at the bottom. A common mistake is making the bottom part look like 人 instead of separating the two strokes like 八. Keep the strokes clear and balanced.

醭 (bú) specifically means mold on the surface of liquids, while 醢 (hǎi) means minced meat sauce and 醪 (láo) means thick, unfiltered wine. Visually, 醭 uses 菐 on the right, 醢 uses a different right component (㫃), and 醪 uses 翏. Their meanings all relate to food or drink, but refer to different things.

醭 appears in words like 起醭 (qǐ bú, to get moldy on liquids) and 醋醭 (cù bú, vinegar film). It is not common in daily conversation but is used in cooking or food storage contexts when describing a white film of mold on sauces, vinegar, or wine. In Chinese culture, seeing 醭 on a jar is a sign that the liquid has spoiled.

Common words containing 醭 include: 起醭 (qǐ bú) — to get moldy (on liquids); 醋醭 (cù bú) — vinegar film; 酱醭 (jiàng bú) — mold on sauce or paste.