How to Write 褱 (huái) — Meaning “to carry in the bosom; to cherish (ancient form of 怀)”

Picture a coat (衣) with a hidden pocket over your heart. Inside the pocket there is a photo of a loved one with two eyes (目目) and tears (水) — the inner part 眔 looks like eyes and water. This helps you remember that 褱 means to cherish someone or something deep in your bosom.

Write the outer 衣 first — it has a left side (衤) and a right side (like a hook). Then place the inner 眔 carefully in the middle: two 目 stacked above a 水. A common mistake is making the inner part too wide; keep it narrow so the whole character stays balanced. The final stroke is the bottom right hook of 衣.

褱 means to cherish or carry in the bosom, while 裳 (shang) refers to a lower garment or skirt, and 裴 (péi) is a surname meaning long robes. Visually, 褱 has a complex inner part (眔), whereas 裳 has 尚 below and 裴 has 非 below. In meaning and usage, only 褱 carries the emotional sense of cherishing.

褱 is an ancient form of 怀 (huái) and is rarely used in everyday modern Chinese. You might see it in classical literature, old poems, or calligraphy. For current writing and speaking, always use 怀 instead, as in 怀念 (to miss) or 怀抱 (to embrace).

Common words containing 褱 include: 褱想 (huái xiǎng) — to miss; to think of; 褱德 (huái dé) — to cherish virtue; 褱归 (huái guī) — to return home (with cherished thoughts).