How to Write 踺 (jiàn) — Meaning “a spring; a jump (in gymnastics)”

Imagine a gymnast using their foot (足) to push off the ground and build (建) height for a springing jump. The right part 建 looks like a person stretching upward, helping you recall that 踺 means a spring or jump in gymnastics.

For the left radical 足, write the top mouth shape first, then the vertical stroke, then the bottom horizontal, and finally the two short strokes. For the right part 建, note that it starts with the horizontal stroke and then the vertical 'corpse' shape — do not confuse the bottom with that of 延. Keep both sides balanced because the right side has more strokes.

跟 (gēn) means 'heel' or 'to follow' and uses the foot radical 足 with 艮; it has a different right side and is very common. 䠀 is a rare character that appears similar but is not used in modern Chinese — it may be a variant or obsolete form. In contrast, 踺 specifically means a springing jump in gymnastics or martial arts, such as in the word 踺子 (round-off).

踺 appears mainly in sports and martial arts contexts, especially in the words 踺子 (round-off in gymnastics) and 侧踺 (side aerial). It is not common in everyday conversation and is not part of the HSK vocabulary, so you will mostly encounter it when reading about floor exercises or acrobatic movements. Culturally, it highlights the precise terminology used to describe complex body movements in Chinese athletics.

Common words containing 踺 include: 踺子 (jiàn zi) — round-off (gymnastics move); 侧踺 (cè jiàn) — Side aerial (gymnastics/martial arts); 踺步 (jiàn bù) — a springy step; a leap.