How to Write 具 (jù) — Meaning “Tool; to possess; to provide”

Imagine a tool, like a hammer, sitting on a table — the top part looks like the tool's head, and the bottom like its handle. Or think of the phrase "eye on hands" to remember that the character shows an eye (目) above two hands (廾). This image helps you connect the form to the meaning of "tool" or "to possess."

The character has 8 strokes. Start with the top left vertical stroke, then the three horizontal strokes inside, making sure the inner strokes are evenly spaced. The bottom is like "廾" but written as two vertical strokes and a horizontal connecting them — be careful not to make it look like "八" (eight). A common mistake is writing the top part too wide; keep it narrow so the whole character stays balanced.

The character 具 (jù) has an eye-like top and two hands below, used in words like "tool" and "concrete." 㒸 (suì) is a rare character that looks similar but has a different bottom shape (like "豕" without a tail) and means "to accomplish." 共 (gòng) is simpler, meaning "common" or "together," and has a completely different structure — just a horizontal line over two short vertical lines — so it's much easier to tell apart by its fewer strokes.

具 appears in everyday vocabulary like 家具 (jiā jù, furniture), 玩具 (wán jù, toy), and 具体 (jù tǐ, concrete/specific). It is also used as a verb meaning "to possess" in formal or written Chinese, such as 具备 (jù bèi, to have or be equipped with). Culturally, 具 is neutral and common, appearing in both casual and academic contexts.

Common words containing 具 include: 家具 (jiā jù) — Furniture; 玩具 (wán jù) — toy; 具体 (jù tǐ) — Concrete; specific.