How to Write 讥 (jī) — Meaning “to ridicule; to mock”

Imagine someone at a small table (几) making sarcastic speech (讠) to mock others. Picture the table as a stage where they perform their ridicule. This visual combines the components to remind you that 讥 means to mock or sneer.

The left radical 讠 has two strokes: a dot followed by a short horizontal stroke that turns down into a vertical. The right part 几 has two strokes: a left-falling stroke and a horizontal hook that curves right. Keep the right part compact and balanced with the left; do not make the hook too large.

The right part differs: 讥 has 几 (jǐ, table) while 计 has 十 (shí, ten). Their meanings are completely different: 讥 relates to mocking, while 计 means to calculate or plan. Visually, the right side of 讥 has an open curve, whereas 计 has a simple cross.

讥 appears in formal or literary compounds like 讥笑 (to sneer) and 讥讽 (to satirize). It is less common in everyday conversation, as direct mockery is considered impolite in Chinese culture. Using 讥 often conveys a sharp, critical tone, so it is reserved for written critiques or serious disagreements.

Common words containing 讥 include: 讥笑 (jī xiào) — to sneer at; to ridicule; 讥讽 (jī fěng) — to satirize; to mock sarcastically; 讥评 (jī píng) — to criticize sarcastically.