How to Write 伉 (kàng) — Meaning “Upright; a match or equal”

Imagine a person (亻) who is so tall and strong (亢) that they can look anyone straight in the eye—this person is both upright and a perfect match for any challenge. The right side 亢 looks like a person with arms raised high, emphasizing strength and equality. Visualize this "strong person" to recall the meaning of uprightness and being a match.

Write the left radical 亻 first (left sweep, then vertical stroke), then the right part 亢: dot at top, horizontal stroke, left-falling stroke, and finally a vertical hook. A common mistake is forgetting the dot on top of 亢, which would make it look like 几. Keep the right part slightly taller than the left radical to maintain balance.

Visually, 伉 has the right part 亢 (with a dot and a vertical hook), while 什 uses 十 (a cross) and 仁 uses 二 (two horizontal strokes). In meaning, 伉 refers to uprightness or a match (e.g., 伉俪 for married couple), 什 means "what" or "ten" as in mixed items, and 仁 means "benevolence." Pay attention to the top dot to tell them apart.

伉 is not used alone in daily speech; it appears in formal or literary terms such as 伉俪 (a respectful term for a married couple) and 伉健 (strong and healthy). Culturally, 伉俪 is often used to praise a couple's harmony, as in the phrase 伉俪情深 (deep marital love). You might encounter it in wedding congratulations or classical texts, but never in casual conversation.

Common words containing 伉 include: 伉俪 (kàng lì) — A married couple; 伉健 (kàng jiàn) — Strong and healthy; 伉直 (kàng zhí) — Upright and outspoken.