How to Write 丛 (cóng) — Meaning “Cluster / Thicket”

Imagine two people (从) standing close together under a single roof (the top horizontal line). This picture of a crowded gathering under a cover helps you remember that 丛 means a cluster or thicket.

Write the top horizontal stroke first, then the left-falling stroke, right-falling stroke, another left-falling stroke, and finally another right-falling stroke. A common mistake is making the top horizontal too long; it should be short, while the bottom 从 part should be slightly wider.

丛 has a top horizontal line over two 'person' shapes (从), while 万 (wàn) has a horizontal line with a slanted hook underneath, and 丈 (zhàng) has a horizontal line over a cross-like stroke (like 十). Visually, 丛 looks like two people under a roof, whereas 万 and 丈 have simpler, different lower parts.

丛 appears in common words like 草丛 (cǎo cóng, thick grass), 丛林 (cóng lín, jungle), and 丛书 (cóng shū, book series). It is often used in nature-related contexts, and 丛书 is a cultural term for a set of books on a related topic.

Common words containing 丛 include: 草丛 (cǎo cóng) — bushes / thick grass; 丛林 (cóng lín) — Jungle; 丛书 (cóng shū) — Book series.