How to Write 隽 (juàn) — Meaning “outstanding; meaningful”

Picture a bird (隹) wearing a small crown or decorative headpiece (the top part). This visual of a noble bird helps you recall that 隽 means outstanding or meaningful.

Start with the top part: a dot, then a horizontal stroke, followed by a vertical hook. Then write the bottom 隹: left vertical, four short horizontals, right vertical, and finally the bottom horizontal. A common mistake is making the top part look like 刀 or 力 instead of its curved shape.

隹 is just the bird radical without any top part, while 隽 has a distinct decorative top. 隺 (hè) has a roof-like top (冖) above the bird, meaning crane, whereas 隽's top is curved and dot-like, indicating elegance or excellence.

隽 appears in literary or formal expressions like 隽永 (meaningful, thought-provoking) for art or writing, and 隽秀 (elegant and handsome) for calligraphy or appearance. It is not common in everyday speech but adds a refined tone in cultural contexts.

Common words containing 隽 include: 隽永 (juàn yǒng) — meaningful; thought-provoking; 隽秀 (juàn xiù) — elegant and handsome; 隽才 (juàn cái) — Outstanding talent; a person of brilliant ability..