How to Write 槺 (kāng) — Meaning “Empty”

Imagine a healthy tree (康 means "healthy") that looks strong on the outside but is completely empty inside. This contrast helps you remember that 槺 means "empty." Visualize the wood radical on the left and the healthy-looking right part to recall the character.

Write the left radical 木 narrow first, then the right part 康 wider with evenly spaced horizontal strokes. A common mistake is making the right part too tall or forgetting the dot at the top of 康. Also, ensure the many horizontal lines in 康 are parallel and not crowded.

All three share the wood radical, but their right sides differ: 槺 has 康, 椴 has 段, and 椹 has 甚. Their meanings are different: 槺 means "empty," 椴 is a type of tree, and 椹 refers to mulberry fruit. Pay attention to the right part to avoid confusion.

槺 is very rare and mostly appears in the botanical terms 槺榔 (Gomuti palm), 槺榔叶 (Gomuti palm leaf), and 槺榔子 (Gomuti palm fruit). You might see it in plant books or descriptions of tropical palms. It is not used in everyday conversation or common writing.

Common words containing 槺 include: 槺榔 (kāng láng) — Gomuti palm; 槺榔叶 (kāng láng yè) — Gomuti palm leaf; 槺榔子 (kāng láng zi) — Gomuti palm fruit.