How to Write 簿 (bù) — Meaning “notebook / ledger / register”

Imagine a bamboo (竹) notebook that is so thin (薄) you can fit it in your pocket. The "thin" part reminds you of the sound bù and the idea of a small, portable ledger.

The top radical 竹 must be written as two 个-like shapes with a short horizontal stroke in each, not as a single unit. The bottom part 薄 has many strokes; a common mistake is forgetting the dot above the right side of 薄 or making the whole character too tall—keep the top compact and the bottom balanced.

簿 (bù) means 'notebook' and has the bottom component 薄 (bó). 篼 (dōu) means 'bamboo basket' and has the bottom 兜 (dōu, 'pocket'). 篾 (miè) means 'bamboo strip' and has the bottom 蔑 (miè, 'disdain'). Focus on the bottom part: 薄 for books, 兜 for containers, 蔑 for materials.

簿 appears in words like 练习簿 (practice book) for school and 账簿 (account book) for business. In traditional Chinese culture, ledgers were essential for merchants and officials, symbolizing order and record-keeping, though digital tools have reduced everyday use.

Common words containing 簿 include: 练习簿 (liàn xí bù) — exercise book, workbook; 账簿 (zhàng bù) — account book; ledger; 名簿 (míng bù) — register; roll.