How to Write 岔 (chà) — Meaning “Fork; branch”

Imagine you are hiking in the mountains and see a sign that says "分 山" — "divide the mountain" — meaning a fork in the road ahead. The top part 分 looks like a person splitting into two directions, and the bottom 山 is the mountain setting. This visual helps you recall that 岔 means "fork" or "branch."

Write the top part 分 first (4 strokes: left-right, then a downward stroke and a left-falling stroke), then the bottom 山 (3 strokes: middle vertical, left vertical, then right vertical). A common mistake is making the top part too wide or the bottom mountain too small, so keep the two parts balanced vertically. Also, ensure the last stroke of 山 is a short vertical that closes the shape neatly.

All three share the mountain radical 山 on the bottom, but the top parts are different. 岔 has 分 (divide) on top, meaning "fork"; 屹 has 乞 (beg) on top and means "towering"; 屺 has 己 (self) on top and means "a barren hill." Visually, 岔's top is wider and has more strokes, while the others have simpler tops.

岔 appears in everyday words like 岔路 (chà lù, fork in the road) and 打岔 (dǎ chà, to interrupt or cut in). It is also used in phrases like 走岔 (zǒu chà, to take the wrong path or go astray). In conversation, 打岔 is very common — for example, if someone changes the topic suddenly, you might say "别打岔!" (Don't interrupt!).

Common words containing 岔 include: 岔路 (chà lù) — Fork in the road; 打岔 (dǎ chà) — to interrupt; to cut in; 走岔 (zǒu chà) — To take the wrong path; to go astray..