How to Write 遄 (chuán) — Meaning “fast; hurried”

Imagine the right part 耑 looks like a person with a long stride (the top 山 like a head, the bottom 而 like legs running). Combine this with the walk radical 辶 on the left to picture someone sprinting along a path. The sound "chuán" can remind you of "choo-choo" train, which is fast.

Write the right part 耑 first (top to bottom: 山 then 而), then add the walk radical 辶 on the left as the final two strokes (dot and then the curvy stroke). A common mistake is making the 辶 too small or writing the three horizontal strokes of 而 unevenly; keep them parallel and equally spaced.

Although all three share the radical 辶 (walk), their right parts differ: 遄 has 耑 meaning "fast," 逋 has 甫 meaning "flee" or "owe," and 逍 has 肖 meaning "leisurely." Visually, 遄 has a taller right side with 山 on top, while 逋 has a flatter top and 逍 has a small 月-like component. In usage, 遄 is about speed, 逋 about escaping, and 逍 about relaxed strolling.

遄 is a literary character not in the HSK vocabulary, so it appears mainly in formal or classical texts. You might see it in idioms or poetry to describe swift travel, such as 遄往 (to go quickly) or 遄行 (to travel fast). It is rarely used in everyday speech, but encountering it can add a poetic, refined tone.

Common words containing 遄 include: 遄往 (chuán wǎng) — to go quickly; 遄行 (chuán xíng) — to travel quickly; 遄速 (chuán sù) — rapid; speedy.