How to Write 另 (lìng) — Meaning “Another; other”

Picture a strong mouth (口 with 力 below) that has the power to say "another" thing. Imagine a person using their mouth and strength to point to a different choice.

Write the top part 口 first with three strokes (left vertical, top and right together, bottom horizontal), then the bottom 力 with two strokes (a horizontal hook and a left-falling stroke). A common mistake is making the 口 too wide or the 力 too large, which ruins the balance.

口 is just a square mouth radical and has no meaning of "another". 卟 (rare) combines 口 with 卜 inside and is used in divination contexts, while 另 has 力 below and means "another" or "other" in everyday language.

另 appears in common words like 另外 (in addition), 另一个 (another one), and 另行 (separately). It is used to introduce alternatives or additional items in both spoken and written Chinese, often in a polite tone.

Common words containing 另 include: 另外 (lìng wài) — In addition; besides; 另一个 (lìng yí gè) — Another one; 另行 (lìng xíng) — Separately; at another time.