How to Write 绞 (jiǎo) — Meaning “To twist, wring, or grind.”

Imagine holding a wet towel made of silk (纟) and twisting it hard with both hands until water drips out — the action of crossing and wringing is represented by 交. This visual of twisting silk threads helps you recall both the shape and meaning.

Write the left radical 纟 first in three strokes: a slanted line, a horizontal-throw, and a dot-like finish. Then write 交: pay attention to the bottom part which is 乂 (two crossing strokes), not 丈 or 攵. A common mistake is writing 交 with a 文 above instead of the correct 亠 and 乂.

While 纬 (wěi) means weft threads in weaving and 纭 (yún) means tangled or disordered threads, 绞 specifically means the physical action of twisting or wringing. Visually, 纬 uses 韦 on the right, 纭 uses 云, and 绞 uses 交 — each right part hints at different meanings.

You will see 绞 in everyday words like 绞肉 (ground meat) and 绞痛 (griping pain, such as stomach colic). The idiom 绞尽脑汁 (jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī) means to rack one's brains and is used to describe very hard thinking.

Common words containing 绞 include: 绞肉 (jiǎo ròu) — Ground meat or minced meat.; 绞尽脑汁 (jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī) — To rack one's brains.; 绞痛 (jiǎo tòng) — Griping pain or colic..