How to Write 舛 (chuǎn) — Meaning “Mistake; contrary”

Picture two people walking toward each other at night (夕) and bumping into each other by mistake. The left 夕 and right cross-like part represent opposing paths, so remember 'opposite directions cause error'.

Write the left side (夕) first with three strokes: left-falling, horizontal, dot. Then the right side (㐄) with left-falling, vertical, horizontal. The right vertical stroke should be longer than the left, and the bottom horizontal extends to the right. Avoid making the two sides symmetrical.

Common words include 舛误 (chuǎn wù) meaning 'error' and 舛错 (chuǎn cuò) meaning 'blunder'. The idiom 命途多舛 (mìng tú duō chuǎn) describes a life full of hardships and is often used in literature.

舛 is not used in everyday conversation; it appears mainly in formal, literary, or classical contexts. You might find it in historical texts, poetry, or idiomatic expressions like 命途多舛, giving a cultured tone.

Common words containing 舛 include: 舛误 (chuǎn wù) — Error; mistake; 命途多舛 (mìng tú duō chuǎn) — a life full of hardships; fateful misfortunes; 舛错 (chuǎn cuò) — Error; blunder.