How to Write 簦 (dēng) — Meaning “bamboo umbrella with a long handle”

Imagine a bamboo umbrella (竹) that you must "登" (climb up) to reach because its handle is very long. Picturing yourself climbing a ladder to grab a tall umbrella will link the top bamboo radical with the bottom climbing sound component. This visual of "climbing to the umbrella" helps recall both the shape and meaning.

Pay attention to the bottom component 登: the top part is 癶 (two "止" reversed), not 兴 or 癸. The radical 竹 at the top should be written with both sides narrow and left shorter than right. A common mistake is making the 登 part too wide — keep it balanced under the bamboo cover.

While 簦 is a bamboo umbrella (with long handle), 篙 (gāo) is a bamboo pole used to punt a boat, and 篚 (fěi) is a round bamboo basket. Visually, 簦 has 登 below, 篙 has 高 (tall) below, and 篚 has 匚 (box) inside. Focus on the bottom component to tell them apart.

簦 is rarely used in daily speech today; it appears mostly in classical texts or in the fixed phrase 簦笠 (bamboo umbrella and conical hat), which describes traditional rain gear. Historically, the 簦 was a large umbrella carried by officials or travelers, symbolizing status and protection from the elements.

Common words containing 簦 include: 簦笠 (dēng lì) — bamboo umbrella and conical hat; 持簦 (chí dēng) — to hold an umbrella; 荷簦 (hé dēng) — Lotus leaf umbrella.