How to Write 耖 (chào) — Meaning “To harrow; a harrow”

Imagine a farmer using a plow (耒) to break up a small (少) patch of earth, turning it into a smooth field. The "few" strokes in 少 remind you that the harrow makes the soil finer and more even. This visual of a plow working on a small area helps link the shape to the meaning of harrowing.

The left part 耒 has 7 strokes: start with a horizontal stroke, then a short diagonal, a vertical hook, then two horizontal strokes, and finally a left-falling stroke and a right-falling stroke. The right part 少 has 3 strokes: first a small vertical hook, then a left-falling stroke, and finally a dot. Keep the left side wider and taller, and the right side compact and slightly lower to maintain balance.

耖 specifically means "to harrow" — a secondary tillage step after plowing to break up clods and level the field. 耕 (geng) means "to plow" — the first step of turning over the soil. 耔 (zi) refers to "to hoe" or "to weed" — a later cultivation step. Visually, 耖 has 少 on the right, while 耕 has 井 and 耔 has 子. So they share the 耒 radical but differ in the action and right-side component.

耖 is used in agricultural contexts, especially in southern China where wet rice farming is common. The term 耖田 (chào tián) describes the step of harrowing a paddy field before transplanting rice seedlings. While not a common character in daily conversation, it remains important in farming communities and in literature about traditional agriculture.

Common words containing 耖 include: 耖田 (chào tián) — To harrow the paddy field; 耖地 (chào dì) — To harrow the field; 耖耙 (chào bà) — A harrow (agricultural tool).