How to Write 楷 (kǎi) — Meaning “model; regular script”

Think: 'All (皆) trees (木) should be straight like a model (楷).' This connects the right part 皆 (all) with the left radical 木 (tree) to recall the meaning 'model' or 'regular script.'

Keep the left radical 木 narrow and the right part 皆 balanced. The top of 皆 is written as 匕 (a short left-falling stroke), not 比 (which has two strokes on the left). Also, the bottom part of 皆 consists of 白 (white) with a horizontal fold.

The key difference is the right component: 楷 has 皆 (匕 + 白), 桫 has 沙 (three drops of water + 少), and 桲 has 孛 (top 十 + 冖 + 子). Visual check: 楷's right part has a clear 'white' box at the bottom, which the others do not.

楷 appears in the calligraphy term 楷书 (regular script), which is the standard writing style taught in Chinese schools. It also forms 楷模 (role model), describing someone worthy of imitation, and 小楷 (small regular script) for finely written characters.

Common words containing 楷 include: 楷书 (kǎi shū) — regular script (calligraphy); 楷模 (kǎi mó) — role model; exemplar; 小楷 (xiǎo kǎi) — small regular script (calligraphy).