How to Write 缂 (kè) — Meaning “to weave (specifically silk tapestry)”

Imagine a piece of fine silk (纟) being stretched across a frame like leather (革), and you are carefully weaving thread into a tapestry. The sound kè can be linked to "karate"—picture a karate master precisely cutting silk threads for tapestry, helping you recall both the look and sound.

Write the left radical 纟 first with its three strokes (zigzag, then two small strokes), then the right part 革 (9 strokes). The left side should be narrow and tall, while the right side is wider and slightly taller. A common mistake is making the 纟 too wide or forgetting the small hook at the bottom of the left final stroke.

缂 (kè) means silk tapestry, while 绠 (gěng) means a thick rope or well rope, and 绡 (xiāo) means raw silk or a thin silk fabric. Visually, 缂 has 革 on the right, 绠 has 更 (gèng), and 绡 has 肖 (xiào). Focus on the right-side component to tell them apart: leather for tapestry, change for rope, and small for raw silk.

缂 appears mostly in the word 缂丝 (kèsī), which refers to a traditional Chinese silk tapestry technique known as "cut silk" or Kesi. This art form was prized in imperial China for its detailed patterns and is still practiced today in crafts and museums. You will rarely see 缂 alone outside of specialized textile or cultural contexts.

Common words containing 缂 include: 缂丝 (kè sī) — Kesi (Chinese silk tapestry); 缂织 (kè zhī) — tapestry weaving; 缂绣 (kè xiù) — tapestry and embroidery.