How to Write 称 (chèn/chēng/chèng) — Meaning “to weigh / to call”

Imagine a farmer (禾) placing grain on a scale while you (尔) call out the weight. This combines the two main meanings: weighing and calling. Picture the scale and your voice together to link the left and right parts.

The left radical 禾 has a right-falling stroke (捺) that should not cross into the right part. The right side 尔 starts with a short top stroke, then a horizontal hook, and ends with a dot. Common mistakes include making the 尔 too wide or forgetting the hook.

称 has 尔 on the right and means 'to weigh' or 'to call'. 秆 has 干 (dry) on the right and means 'stalk' of a plant. 秉 combines 禾 with a hand shape (like 乛) and means 'to hold' or 'to grasp'. Visually, focus on the different right-side components.

称 appears in common words like 称呼 (form of address), 称赞 (to praise), and 称重 (to weigh). In Chinese culture, using the correct 称呼 (title or form of address) is very important for showing respect, especially in formal or family settings.

Common words containing 称 include: 称呼 (chēng hū) — to call / form of address; 称赞 (chēng zàn) — to praise; 称重 (chēng zhòng) — to weigh.