How to Write 処 (chǔ) — Meaning “Place; to deal with (variant of 处)”

Picture a person (the top part 𠂉 looks like a person walking) standing at a small table (几) to organize papers. This image helps you remember that 処 means a place for dealing with tasks or processing things.

Write the top part 𠂉 first as three short strokes: left-falling, horizontal, then right-falling. Then write 几 as two strokes: a left-falling line and a horizontal hook, making sure the hook curves smoothly. A common mistake is making the top part too large—keep it compact above the table shape.

処 has 𠂉 above 几, while 凡 is 几 with a single dot inside (like a plain table), meaning 'ordinary.' 凤 has 几 with 又 inside (a hand shape) and means 'phoenix.' Visually, the top or inner part differs, so check for the extra stroke above or inside 几.

処 is a traditional variant of 处, so in Modern Standard Chinese you almost always see 处 instead. You may encounter 処 in older texts, Japanese kanji, or artistic calligraphy. For example, 処理 is the same as 处理 (to handle), but using 処 gives a classical feel.

Common words containing 処 include: 処理 (chǔ lǐ) — To handle; to process (variant of 处理); 処方 (chǔ fāng) — Prescription (variant of 处方); 処罚 (chǔ fá) — Punishment; to punish (variant of 处罚).