How to Write 偿 (cháng) — Meaning “to repay; to compensate; to fulfill”

Think of a person (亻) tasting (尝) something to check if it is fair compensation. For example, imagine someone tasting a small piece of cake as repayment for a favor. This visual links the person, the taste, and the idea of repayment.

The right side 尝 has three parts: a small 䏍 (a variant of 示) on top, then 一 and finally 小. Be careful not to confuse the top with ⺌ or ⺍. The bottom is 小 with three dots, not ヽ. Also, ensure the left radical 亻 is narrow and the right side slightly wider, with the right side's vertical stroke aligned.

侮 (wǔ) means to insult or bully, shown by a person (亻) and a negative action (每, every or often). 侯 (hóu) means marquis or noble, but uses a different right side (矢, arrow) and a short horizontal line. Visually, 偿 has 尝 (taste) on the right, while 侮 has 每 and 侯 has a different structure. Meanings are unrelated.

偿 appears in formal and legal contexts like 补偿 (compensation) for damages or 偿还 (to repay a debt). It is also used in 有偿 meaning "for a fee" in services. Culturally, 偿 carries a strong sense of moral obligation — not just paying back money but also making things right, as in 得不偿失 (the gain does not compensate for the loss).

Common words containing 偿 include: 补偿 (bǔ cháng) — Compensation / To compensate; 偿还 (cháng huán) — to repay; to pay back (a debt); 有偿 (yǒu cháng) — for a fee; paid.