How to Write 亏 (kuī) — Meaning “Loss or deficit.”

Imagine a scale with two plates (the two horizontal lines) and a hook hanging below that is missing a weight—this imbalance represents a loss. Alternatively, think of the hook as a missing piece that causes a deficit. This visual trick links the shape to the idea of something lacking.

Write 亏 in three strokes: first a long horizontal line, second a shorter horizontal line centered under the first, then a vertical hook starting from the left end of the second line. A common mistake is making the second horizontal too long or placing the hook in the middle, which changes the character's balance.

Compared to 二 (two simple horizontal lines), 亏 has an extra vertical hook below. Compared to 亍 (a horizontal line with a straight vertical line), 亏's vertical line ends with a leftward hook. The hook is the key visual difference that gives 亏 its unique shape.

亏 appears in common words like 吃亏 (to suffer losses), 幸亏 (fortunately), and 亏本 (to lose money in business). Culturally, the phrase 吃亏是福 (suffering a loss is a blessing) reflects a traditional value of patience and long-term gain, making 亏 a word with positive undertones in some contexts.

Common words containing 亏 include: 吃亏 (chī kuī) — to suffer losses; to be at a disadvantage; 幸亏 (xìng kuī) — Fortunately; 亏本 (kuī běn) — To lose money in business..