How to Write 谨 (jǐn) — Meaning “careful; cautious”

Picture a person (讠) speaking very carefully while walking on a thin, slippery path (堇 looks like a narrow road with obstacles). This image reminds you that 谨 means being cautious, especially with what you say.

The left radical 讠 should be written narrow with two strokes: a dot and a horizontal-left curve. The right part 堇 is tall; pay attention to the stack of components: 艹 (grass), 日 (sun), and 土 (earth) — do not combine them into one shape. A common mistake is making the right side too wide; keep it balanced with the left.

谨 (jǐn) means careful or cautious, while 谋 (móu) means to plan or scheme, and 谌 (chén) means sincere or trustworthy. Visually, 谨 has 堇 on the right, 谋 has 某, and 谌 has 甚. For example, 谨慎 means cautious, 谋划 means planning, and 谌 means sincere.

谨 appears in formal or written contexts, such as 谨慎 (cautious), 严谨 (meticulous), and 谨记 (to bear in mind). Culturally, it appears in idioms like 谨言慎行 (speak and act cautiously), emphasizing careful behavior. It is not common in everyday conversation but is important for official documents and serious advice.

Common words containing 谨 include: 谨慎 (jǐn shèn) — cautious; prudent; 严谨 (yán jǐn) — Rigorous / Meticulous; 谨记 (jǐn jì) — to bear in mind; to remember carefully.