How to Write 叩 (kòu) — Meaning “To knock; to kowtow”

Picture a kneeling person (卩) using their mouth (口) to knock on the floor while bowing — mouth meets kneeling posture. This image links the two parts to the actions of knocking and kowtowing.

Write the left 口 first (3 strokes: left vertical, top-right corner, bottom horizontal), then the right 卩 (2 strokes: horizontal fold then vertical). Make sure the right part aligns with the center of the mouth, not too high or low.

叩 has the right component 卩 (a kneeling figure), while 卟 has 卜 (a divination symbol). 口 is just a square box meaning 'mouth'. Visually, the right side of 叩 is a horizontal fold with a vertical stroke, unlike the dot and line of 卟.

叩 appears in formal or cultural phrases like 叩门 (to knock on a door, literary) and 叩头 (to kowtow in traditional ceremonies). It is less common in daily speech but used in writing to express deep respect or gratitude, as in 叩谢.

Common words containing 叩 include: 叩门 (kòu mén) — To knock on a door; 叩头 (kòu tóu) — To kowtow; to bow deeply; 叩谢 (kòu xiè) — To express deep gratitude.