How to Write 逞 (chěng) — Meaning “To show off or indulge.”

Imagine a person walking (辶) while holding up a sign that says "Look at me!" (呈, which looks like a mouth shouting upward). The walker is showing off by presenting themselves proudly. This visual of strutting with a sign helps connect the parts to the meaning of showing off.

Start with the left-side radical 辶, which should be written with a smooth, flowing curve for the last stroke. The inner part 呈 must be centered inside the radical, not too large or too small, and the top of 呈 (口) should align with the top of the radical. A common mistake is making the radical too narrow or the inner part too wide, which disrupts the balance.

逞 contains the inner component 呈, while 迢 has 召 (zhào, to summon) inside, and 迤 has 也 (yě, also). In meaning, 逞 is about showing off or indulging, 迢 means far away (as in 迢迢, distant), and 迤 means winding or stretching. Visually, the inner parts are different: 逞 has a square top (口) and a bottom line, 迢 has a knife-like top (刀) and 口, and 迤 has a simple hook shape.

逞 is most often used in words like 逞强 (chěng qiáng) and 逞能 (chěng néng), both meaning to show off one's strength or ability, usually with a negative connotation of being reckless or boastful. In Chinese culture, modesty is valued, so using 逞 suggests disapproval of someone trying too hard to impress. It also appears in 得逞 (dé chěng), meaning a scheme succeeds (often in a bad sense), like a trickster's plan working.

Common words containing 逞 include: 逞强 (chěng qiáng) — To show off one's strength or try to be brave.; 逞能 (chěng néng) — To show off one's ability or boast.; 得逞 (dé chěng) — To have one's way; to succeed in a scheme..