How to Write 匛 (jiù) — Meaning “Coffin”

Imagine a rectangular box (匚) with the word 'long' (久) written inside it. This box is used for a very long time — it is a coffin that holds a body forever. The visual of a box plus 'long time' helps you recall the meaning of coffin.

Write the radical 匚 first with three strokes: left vertical, top horizontal, then bottom horizontal, forming an open box. Then add the component 久 inside, being careful that its diagonal strokes do not extend beyond the box boundaries. A common mistake is to make the inside strokes too large or to misplace the order of 久's strokes.

The difference lies in what is inside the box radical 匚: 匝 has 巾 (cloth) meaning 'to circle', 匠 has 斤 (axe) meaning 'craftsman', and 匛 has 久 (long time) meaning 'coffin'. Visually, 匝 has a wide cloth shape, 匠 has a short horizontal stroke, while 匛 has a longer horizontal and a diagonal stroke inside.

匛 is a rare character mostly used in formal funeral or classical contexts, such as in the words 灵匛 (ling2jiu4, coffin containing a corpse) and 匛车 (jiu4che1, hearse). It is less common than the everyday word 棺材 (guan1cai2) for coffin, but may appear in traditional literature or ceremonial writings.

Common words containing 匛 include: 灵匛 (líng jiù) — coffin (containing a corpse); 匛车 (jiù chē) — Hearse; 移匛 (yí jiù) — to move a coffin.