How to Write 副 (fù) — Meaning “deputy; vice-; assistant; measure word for sets”

Imagine a deputy (副) standing next to a full (畐) pile of work, using a knife (刂) to cut it into two portions for the boss and themselves. The left part 畐 looks like a person with arms spread, and the right 刂 is the knife they use to assist.

Write the left component 畐 first with a balanced width—it has several horizontal and vertical strokes, including a horizontal fold inside. Then add the knife radical 刂 on the right, making sure it aligns with the bottom of the left part. A common mistake is making the left side too narrow or skipping the inner horizontal strokes.

While all three share the knife radical 刂, their left components are different. 剃 has 弟 (younger brother) and means 'to shave', 削 has 肖 (resemble) and means 'to pare or reduce', while 副 has 畐 (full/abundant) and means 'deputy' or 'measure word for sets'. Visually, 副's left part has many horizontal lines, unlike the others.

副 is commonly used as a prefix for titles like 副总统 (vice president) or 副手 (assistant), indicating a second-in-command role. It is also a measure word for sets or pairs, such as 一副眼镜 (a pair of glasses) or 一副扑克牌 (a deck of cards), making it useful for everyday objects.

Common words containing 副 include: 一副眼镜 (yī fù yǎn jìng) — a pair of glasses; 副作用 (fù zuò yòng) — side effect; 副手 (fù shǒu) — assistant; right-hand man.