How to Write 弗 (fú) — Meaning “not (literary)”

Imagine a bow (弓) with two arrows through its center, crossing it out. The crossed lines suggest the idea of 'no' or 'not allowed,' like a "forbidden" symbol. This visual helps link the shape to the meaning of negation.

Write the bow radical 弓 first with three strokes: a big curve then two small horizontal bends. Then add two vertical straight strokes inside: the left one is short, the right one is a bit longer and reaches the bottom line. Common mistake is making the two vertical strokes too far apart or uneven.

弓 is just the bow shape alone, meaning 'bow'. 引 adds a vertical line to the right of 弓, meaning 'to pull' or 'to lead'. 弗 has two vertical lines inside the bow, not outside, and means 'not'. Visually, 弗 is the only one with two inner strokes crossing the bow.

弗 is a classical literary word meaning 'not', found in formal writing, idioms, or historical texts. In modern daily speech, it is rarely used alone but appears in set expressions like 弗如 (not as good as) or 弗成 (unsuccessful). You might see it in old poetry or proverbs, giving a scholarly tone.

Common words containing 弗 include: 弗如 (fú rú) — not as good as / inferior to; 弗成 (fú chéng) — cannot be done / unsuccessful; 弗及 (fú jí) — not as good as.