How to Write 揆 (kuí) — Meaning “To estimate or judge”

Imagine you have to use your hand (扌) to measure a mysterious potion labeled "癸" — you guess its volume by sight. The character looks like a hand judging a strange object, helping you recall the meaning "to estimate."

Start with the left side 扌, writing the short horizontal then a vertical hook, followed by the lift stroke. The right side 癸 is wider and has two horizontal strokes near the top; make sure the bottom part (天-like) is balanced and not too tall. Common mistakes include making the right side too narrow or mixing up the order of the strokes in 癸.

揆 (kuí) means "to estimate or judge," focusing on mental measurement. 挨 (āi) means "to suffer" or "to lean on," and 挫 (cuò) means "to defeat" or "to frustrate," both involving physical or emotional impact. Visually, 揆 has a hand plus 癸, while 挨 uses 扌+矣 and 挫 uses 扌+坐 — these different right-side components change the meaning entirely.

揆 is used in formal or literary contexts, such as 揆度 (kuí dù, to estimate) and 阁揆 (gé kuí, a historical term for a prime minister in imperial China). It is not common in everyday conversation but appears in classical writings or political titles, reflecting a sense of measured judgment or high office.

Common words containing 揆 include: 揆度 (kuí dù) — To estimate or conjecture; 阁揆 (gé kuí) — Premier; Prime Minister; 揆之 (kuí zhī) — Judging by or considering.