How to Write 患 (huàn) — Meaning “suffer”

Imagine a string (串) of heavy chains wrapped around your heart (心), causing you to suffer. Picture the heart being squeezed by the chain to remember that 患 means suffering or illness.

The upper part 串 has a central vertical stroke that goes all the way down through the two 口 shapes, and then continues briefly into the heart below. Be careful not to write the bottom 心 radical too small, and ensure the three dots of 心 are placed correctly below the hook.

The top part of 患 is 串 (a string), while 怎 has 乍 (suddenly) on top and 怒 has 奴 (slave) on top. All three share the 心 (heart) bottom, so focus on the upper component to tell them apart: 患 relates to suffering, 怎 means "how", and 怒 means anger.

患 is commonly used in medical and hardship contexts, such as 患者 (patient) and 患病 (to fall ill). It also appears in the phrase 忧患意识 (sense of crisis), which reflects the cultural value of being prepared for difficulties and suffering.

Common words containing 患 include: 患者 (huàn zhě) — patient; 患病 (huàn bìng) — fall ill; 忧患 (yōu huàn) — Suffering; hardship.