How to Write 阁 (gé) — Meaning “Pavilion; cabinet (government); attic”

Imagine a door (门) that leads to a small room where each (各) shelf holds a cabinet or an attic storage box. This mental image helps link the door radical and the sound component 各 to the meanings of pavilion, cabinet, and attic.

Write the radical 门 first: dot, vertical line, then the horizontal fold hook (like a door frame). Inside, write 各: start with the top strokes (夂-like), then the 口 box. Common mistakes include making the 口 too large or misaligning the inner part so it extends outside the door frame.

All three share the 门 radical, but the inner parts differ. 闰 has 王 (jade/king) inside meaning "intercalary" (leap year). 闱 has 韦 (leather) inside meaning "palace gate" or "examination hall." 阁 has 各 inside and means "pavilion," "cabinet," or "attic."

You will often see 阁 in the formal address 阁下 (Your Excellency), used in letters or speeches for high officials. Another common word is 阁楼 (attic or loft), referring to a top-floor room. In politics, 组阁 means "to form a cabinet," showing the character's use in government contexts.

Common words containing 阁 include: 阁楼 (gé lóu) — Attic; loft; 阁下 (gé xià) — Your Excellency; you (formal); 组阁 (zǔ gé) — to form a cabinet (government).