How to Write 驮 (duò/tuó) — Meaning “To carry on the back”

Imagine a big (大) horse (马) with a huge pack on its back. The horse looks extra large because of the load. This visual helps connect the right side 大 (big) with the meaning of carrying something large on the back.

Write the horse radical (马) first, making sure it is narrow and occupies the left side. Then add 大 on the right, starting with the horizontal stroke, then the left-falling stroke and finally the right-falling stroke, keeping the right part slightly wider than the left.

驮 (duò/tuó) means 'to carry on the back', while 驭 (yù) means 'to drive or control a horse' and 驯 (xùn) means 'tame or disciplined'. Visually, 驮 has 大 on the right, 驭 has 又, and 驯 has 川, so focus on the right side to distinguish them.

驮 is commonly used in words like 驮着 (tuó zhe, carrying on the back) and 驮运 (tuó yùn, transport by pack animal). Although it is not in the HSK list, it appears in farming or travel contexts, especially in regions where horses or donkeys still carry goods, and it sometimes carries a rustic or traditional feel.

Common words containing 驮 include: 驮着 (tuó zhe) — Carrying on the back; 驮运 (tuó yùn) — To transport by pack animal; 驮马 (tuó mǎ) — Pack horse.