How to Write 矬 (cuó) — Meaning “Short (in stature); stunted.”

Imagine a short person sitting (坐) on the ground next to a measuring arrow (矢). The arrow shows they are not tall — just as 矬 means 'short in stature.' This mental picture helps link the two parts to the meaning of being physically short.

The right side 坐 must be written with two distinct 人 components (left and right) above 土 — do not merge them into a single shape. Also keep the left radical 矢 narrow so the whole character stays balanced. The total stroke count is 12, so count carefully to avoid missing a stroke.

矬 specifically means short in human stature and is often derogatory, while 短 means short in length for any object or time. 矫 means to correct or make straight — completely different meaning. Visually, 矬 has 矢+坐, 矫 has 矢+乔, and 短 has 矢+豆.

矬 is used to describe a person of unusually short height, but it carries a negative or insulting tone. Common word 矬子 is a mean nickname for a short person and should be avoided in polite conversation. It is not in the HSK list, so you will mainly encounter it in literature or casual speech as a rude term.

Common words containing 矬 include: 矬子 (cuó zi) — A short person (often derogatory).; 矮矬 (ǎi cuó) — Short and squat.; 矬矮 (cuó ǎi) — Short and small..