How to Write 睬 (cǎi) — Meaning “To pay attention to.”

Imagine you use your eye (目) to pick (采) up the small details in a room — that is paying attention. This visual of your eye picking up information helps connect the shape and meaning. Remember: you '睬' when your eye picks up something important.

Write the left radical 目 first (vertical strokes, then inner horizontal, then bottom horizontal), then the right side 采 (top 爫 like a claw, then 木 underneath). A common mistake is writing the right side as 米 (rice) instead of 采 — note that 采 has three strokes in 爫 plus 木, not a crossed shape. Keep the 目 narrow and balanced with the right side.

睬 (cǎi) means 'pay attention', while 眦 (zì) means 'corner of the eye' and 眭 (suī or guì) is a rare surname or character. Visually, 睬 has 采 on the right, 眦 has 此, and 眭 has 圭. In usage, 睬 is common in negative phrases like 不理不睬, whereas 眦 and 眭 are rarely used in daily language.

睬 is almost always used in the negative pattern 不理不睬 (to completely ignore someone) or the verb 理睬 (to pay attention to, usually in negative sentences like 没人理睬他). Culturally, ignoring someone (不理不睬) is seen as very rude and impolite in China, so learning 睬 helps understand this social nuance.

Common words containing 睬 include: 理睬 (lǐ cǎi) — Pay attention to; 不理不睬 (bù lǐ bù cǎi) — to ignore; to give the cold shoulder; 睬他 (cǎi tā) — Pay attention to him..