How to Write 膏 (gāo) — Meaning “ointment / paste / fat”

Picture a tube of toothpaste (牙膏) that is "high" (高) quality, made from natural fats (月 for body). The top part 月 looks like the tube's opening, and the bottom 高 reminds you the tube stands tall. This links the character to common pastes and ointments.

Write the top component 月 first (three strokes: vertical, horizontal fold, horizontal), then the bottom 高 (10 strokes). Pay attention to the proportions: 月 should be slightly narrower than 高, and the 口 inside 高 must be centered. A common mistake is making the bottom 高 too wide or writing the top 月 with a slanted left stroke instead of vertical.

膏 contains the radical 月 on top and 高 below, and means paste or ointment. 朝 (zhāo/cháo) has 月 on the left and 干/十 on the right, meaning morning or dynasty. 期 (qī) has 其 on top and 月 on the bottom, meaning period or time. Visually, 膏 is the only one with 高, and its 月 is on top, not side or bottom.

膏 is used in everyday words for semi-solid products like 牙膏 (toothpaste), 药膏 (medical ointment), and 唇膏 (lipstick or lip balm). It implies a thick, creamy consistency applied to skin or teeth. A cultural note: in traditional Chinese medicine, 膏药 (gāo yao) refers to medicated plasters that are heated and stuck on the body.

Common words containing 膏 include: 牙膏 (yá gāo) — toothpaste; 药膏 (yào gāo) — ointment; salve; 唇膏 (chún gāo) — Lipstick or lip balm..