How to Write 哿 (gě) — Meaning “Good, excellent, or commendable.”

Imagine adding (加) a checkmark (like 可) to something to show it is excellent. You can think: 'If you add acceptability, you get excellence — 哿.' This visual of a plus sign over a checkmark helps link the components to the meaning.

Write the top component 加 first (5 strokes: left-falling hook, left-falling stroke, horizontal, vertical, horizontal fold) then the bottom component 可 (5 strokes: horizontal, vertical, horizontal fold, horizontal, vertical hook). A common mistake is making the top too wide — keep it compact so the whole character is balanced. Also be sure to write the final vertical hook of 可 clearly, not as a straight line.

哿 is a top-bottom structure (加 above 可) and means 'good,' while 呢 is a left-right structure (口 on left, 尼 on right) and is a question particle. 呣 is also left-right (口 left, 母 right) and is an interjection meaning 'hm?' or 'mm-hmm.' The visual difference is that 哿 has no 尼 or 母; it combines 加 and 可.

哿 is an archaic character rarely used in modern speech or writing. It appears mainly in classical Chinese texts, such as the phrase 哿矣富人 from the Book of Songs, meaning 'the rich are well off.' Today, you might encounter it only in scholarly or historical contexts, not in daily conversation.

Common words containing 哿 include: 哿矣 (gě yǐ) — It is good or it is well.; 哿矣能言 (gě yǐ néng yán) — It is good to be able to speak well.; 哿矣富人 (gě yǐ fù rén) — The rich are well off..