How to Write 屐 (jī) — Meaning “Clogs; wooden shoes.”

Imagine a wooden clog that looks like a small box (the 尸 radical) resting on two supports (the 支 component). Think of the word "geek" for the pronunciation jī, and picture a geek wearing funny wooden shoes. This links the shape and sound to the meaning of clogs.

Pay attention to the stroke order: first write the radical 尸 (three strokes: horizontal fold, left slanted, horizontal), then write 支 (four strokes: horizontal, vertical, horizontal fold, rightward flick). A common mistake is making the top part too wide—keep the 尸 narrow so the whole character stays balanced. The lower 支 should extend slightly to the right.

屐 (clogs) has a 尸 on top and 支 below, while 居 (to live, residence) uses 尸 on top and 古 (old) below. 屄 (vulgar word for vagina) also has 尸 but has 穴 (cave) below. Visually, 屐 has a flat, open top from 尸 and a balanced lower part; 居 has a broader lower square; 屄 includes the cave radical which gives it a different bottom structure. Meaning-wise, only 屐 refers to footwear.

屐 is not common in daily speech but appears in literary or historical contexts, especially in the word 木屐 (mù jī) meaning wooden clogs. These clogs have a long history in East Asian cultures, often worn in gardens or rainy weather. You may also see it in classical poetry, like 屐痕 (footprints left by clogs), evoking a nostalgic or rustic image.

Common words containing 屐 include: 木屐 (mù jī) — clogs; 草屐 (cǎo jī) — Straw sandals.; 屐痕 (jī hén) — Footprints left by clogs..