How to Write 绠 (gěng) — Meaning “Rope (especially for a well).”

Imagine a well (井) where the old rope (纟) has worn out and needs to be changed (更). Since 更 sounds like "geng" and means "to change," you can remember 绠 as "the rope that needs changing."

First write the radical 纟 in three strokes (left-falling, left-falling, horizontal). Then write the right part 更 with seven strokes: start with a horizontal, then vertical, two horizontals, left-falling, right-falling, and final left-falling. A common mistake is making the bottom of 更 too wide; keep it balanced and ensure the left-falling and right-falling strokes are symmetrical.

绠 has the component 更 on the right, while 线 has 戋 (small) and 绀 has 甘 (sweet). Visually, 绠 has more strokes and a more complex right side. In meaning, 绠 specifically refers to a thick well rope, 线 means thin thread or wire, and 绀 is a color meaning dark purple.

绠 is rare in daily speech but appears in the classical idiom 绠短汲深 (gěng duǎn jí shēn), meaning one's ability is insufficient for a task—literally "the rope is short and the well is deep." You may also encounter it in historical writing about ancient wells or in literary works.

Common words containing 绠 include: 井绠 (jǐng gěng) — well rope; 绠短汲深 (gěng duǎn jí shēn) — One's ability is inadequate for the task (literally: the rope is short and the well is deep).; 绠绳 (gěng shéng) — Well rope.