How to Write 扃 (jiōng) — Meaning “To shut; to lock; door handle.”

Imagine a door (户) with a square lock (the shape of 冏) that you turn to shut it. The 冏 part looks like a window or a square keyhole, reminding you that 扃 means to lock or close the door. This visual helps connect the shape to the action of locking.

Write the left radical 户 first: dot, horizontal fold, horizontal, then downward-left stroke. For the right part 冏, start with a vertical stroke, then a horizontal fold hook, and finally a small 口 inside. A common mistake is making the 冏 too wide or confusing the inner 口 with 日 — keep the center empty and square.

扃 (door lock) has 户 plus 冏, while 戽 (to bail water) combines 户 with 斗 (a bucket) and 戾 (to violate) has 户 plus 犬 (dog). Visually, 戽 has a 斗 on the right (like a ladle), and 戾 ends with a 犬. They share the 户 radical but differ greatly in meaning: 扃 is about closing, 戽 about scooping, and 戾 about going against.

扃 is a classical character rarely used in everyday speech, appearing mostly in literary or historical contexts. Examples include 扃门 (to lock a door), 扃闭 (to shut tightly), and 扃试 (imperial examinations held in locked rooms for security). It may also be seen in idioms or poetry referencing doors and seclusion.

Common words containing 扃 include: 扃门 (jiōng mén) — To lock the door.; 扃闭 (jiōng bì) — To shut or close tightly.; 扃试 (jiōng shì) — Imperial examination held behind locked doors..