How to Write 畅 (chàng) — Meaning “Smooth / Unimpeded / Free”

Imagine a field (田) under a bright sun (昜) where nothing blocks the view — everything feels open and smooth. This mental picture helps you remember that 畅 means 'smooth' or 'unimpeded'.

Stroke order: first write the left radical 田 (field) — vertical stroke, then the outer box, then inner cross, then bottom horizontal. Then on the right, write 昜: top is 日 (sun) with a horizontal stroke above, then 勿 (don't/not). Make sure the right side is slightly taller than the left. Common mistake: forgetting the top horizontal stroke above 日 in 昜.

男 (nán, 'male') has 田 on top and 力 (strength) below — it relates to physical labor. 甸 (diàn, 'pasture') has 田 on the left and 勹 (wrap) on the right — it means a park or pasture. 畅 is about flow and smoothness, while the others are about fields or male roles. Visually, 畅 has a taller, more open right side compared to 男 and 甸.

畅 appears in words like 畅快 (chàng kuài, cheerful), 畅销 (chàng xiāo, best-selling), and 畅通 (chàng tōng, unimpeded traffic). It conveys a sense of freedom and ease, often used to describe emotions, sales, or traffic flow. In culture, 畅 suggests a smooth, positive state, such as in the phrase 心情舒畅 (xīn qíng shū chàng, feel relaxed and happy).

Common words containing 畅 include: 畅快 (chàng kuài) — Cheerful / Carefree / Refreshed; 畅销 (chàng xiāo) — Best-selling / Sell well; 畅通 (chàng tōng) — Unblocked / Unimpeded.