How to Write 扂 (diàn) — Meaning “Door latch; door bar.”

Picture a door (户) with a large axe (戉) laid horizontally across it as a bar. This visual of an axe blocking the door helps you remember that 扂 means a door latch or bar.

Pay attention to the right part 戉, which has a vertical hook and a slanted hook, not the similar 戊 (wù) which lacks the hook. Also, keep the left part 户 narrow and balanced with the right side.

戽 (hù) has 斗 (a dipper) on the right and means a water bailer, while 戾 (lì) has 犬 (dog) on the right and means perverse or evil. 扂 has 戉 on the right and specifically refers to a door latch or bar.

扂 is rarely used in modern Chinese, mostly appearing in classical texts or technical terms for traditional door hardware. You might see it in words like 扂子 (door latch) or in discussions of ancient Chinese architecture.

Common words containing 扂 include: 扂子 (diàn zi) — Door latch; door bar.; 扂楔 (diàn xiē) — Door wedge; door stop.; 关扂 (guān diàn) — To bolt a door.