How to Write 孑 (jié) — Meaning “Alone; solitary; mosquito larva”

Imagine a lonely child (子) who lost one arm (the missing left stroke), standing alone — that's 孑. The single remaining arm looks like the number '1', reminding you it means 'one' or 'solitary.' For mosquito larvae, picture the hook shape as a tiny wriggling creature.

The key nuance is that 孑 has only 3 strokes: a horizontal hook (㇇), a vertical hook (亅), and a short diagonal stroke (㇀) inside. A common mistake is adding an extra stroke on the left side, which would turn it into 子. Keep the left side completely empty — that absence is what gives it its meaning.

孑 (jié) and 孓 (jué) are mirror images: 孑 has its hook facing right, while 孓 faces left. In meaning, 孑 means 'alone' and 孓 is used only in the word 孓孑 (the same as 孑孓) for mosquito larvae. Visually, remember that 孑 looks like it's missing its left side (lonely), whereas 孓 has the hook on the left.

孑 is not a common standalone character in daily speech, but it appears in formal or literary expressions like 孑然 (alone) and 孑遗 (survivor). The word 孑孓 (mosquito larva) is the most practical use for learners, often seen in biology or health contexts. It also evokes a classical, poetic sense of isolation, similar to 'solitary' in English.

Common words containing 孑 include: 孑然 (jié rán) — alone; solitary; 孑孓 (jié jué) — mosquito larva; 孑遗 (jié yí) — survivor; remnant.