How to Write 扣 (kòu) — Meaning “to button or deduct”

Picture your hand (扌) pressing a small round button (口) into place to fasten your shirt. This mental image links the hand action directly to the meaning of "to button" and also reminds you of the similar motion used when deducting something.

Write the left-side hand radical (扌) first with a short horizontal stroke, a vertical hook, and a lift. Then add the right-side 口, making sure it is centered and not too large—common mistakes are making the 口 too wide or misaligning it with the hand radical.

The character 㧜 is an uncommon variant that often means the same as 扣 but is rarely used, while 扎 (zā) has a different right component (乚/乙) and means "to tie" or "to bind." In contrast, 扣 uses 口 and specifically refers to buttoning or deducting, not general tying.

You will see 扣 in everyday words like 扣子 (button on clothing) and 折扣 (discount, as in a price reduction). It is also used in schools and games with 扣分 (to deduct points), and culturally, bargaining often involves asking for a 折扣 to get a lower price.

Common words containing 扣 include: 扣子 (kòu zi) — button; 折扣 (zhé kòu) — discount; 扣分 (kòu fēn) — to deduct points.