How to Write 复 (fù) — Meaning “repeat / duplicate”

Imagine you 'repeat' your walk (夂) to the same spot every day when the sun (日) is out. This visual of returning under the sun helps you associate the character with repetition.

Write the top part 夂 first with three strokes: left-falling, horizontal, then right-falling. Then write 日 below with four strokes: left vertical, horizontal fold, middle horizontal, bottom horizontal. A common mistake is making the top part too wide or the bottom 日 too tall, so keep the proportions balanced.

复 has 日 (sun) at the bottom, while 夆 has 夊 (a foot) instead, and 备 has 田 (field). Their meanings also differ: 复 means 'repeat', 夆 is rare and means 'to oppose', and 备 means 'to prepare'. Visually, the bottom component is the key difference.

复 appears in common HSK 2 words like 复习 (to review), 复杂 (complex), and 重复 (to repeat). In Chinese culture, 复习 is especially important for students before exams, and the idea of 'repeating' is seen as a way to master skills.

Common words containing 复 include: 复习 (fù xí) — to review / to revise; 复杂 (fù zá) — complex / complicated; 重复 (chóng fù) — Repeat.