How to Write 摧 (cuī) — Meaning “to destroy”

Imagine a giant hand (扌) pushing over a tall mountain (崔). This image of a hand toppling a mountain represents a powerful act of destruction, helping you remember that 摧 means "to destroy."

The left radical 扌 should be narrow, while the right part 崔 is wider. Pay attention to the bottom mountain component 山, which has three vertical strokes—do not make them too short. A common mistake is making the left hand radical too wide or the right part unbalanced.

掾 (yuàn) means "official" or "clerk" and has nothing to do with destruction; its right part is different. 揄 (yú) means "to pull" or "to tease" and uses a different right component. Only 摧 carries the clear meaning of destroying or demolishing something.

摧 appears in formal or literary contexts, common in words like 摧毁 (to demolish buildings or defenses) and 摧残 (to devastate health or spirit). The idiom 无坚不摧 describes something invincible that can break any defense, often used in military or motivational language.

Common words containing 摧 include: 摧毁 (cuī huǐ) — to demolish; 摧残 (cuī cán) — to devastate; 无坚不摧 (wú jiān bù cuī) — Invincible; capable of breaking any defense..