How to Write 独 (dú) — Meaning “alone / single”

Imagine a lonely dog (犭) chasing a single insect (虫) all by itself — no other animals or bugs join in. This visual of a dog alone with one bug helps you remember that 独 means 'alone' or 'single'.

Start with the left radical 犭: the second stroke is a curved hook (弯钩), not a straight line, and the third stroke is a short left-falling stroke. For the right part 虫, write the vertical stroke first, then the horizontal fold, and place the dot before the final horizontal stroke. Common mistakes include making the hook too straight or mixing up the stroke order of 虫.

The key visual difference is the right side: 独 has 虫 (insect), 状 has 犬 (dog), and 犹 has 尤 (especially). 独 means 'alone', 状 means 'shape' or 'state', and 犹 means 'still' or 'like'. For example, 孤独 (gū dú) is 'lonely', while 状况 (zhuàng kuàng) is 'condition' and 犹豫 (yóu yù) is 'hesitate'.

独 appears in common words like 独立 (dú lì, independent) and 独自 (dú zì, by oneself), often describing a state of being alone or self-reliant. In Chinese culture, 独立 carries a positive connotation of self-sufficiency, while 孤独 (gū dú, lonely) can imply a sad or isolated feeling. You might see 独 in phrases like 独一无二 (dú yī wú èr, unique) to emphasize singularity.

Common words containing 独 include: 独立 (dú lì) — independent; 孤独 (gū dú) — lonely; solitary; 独自 (dú zì) — alone / by oneself.