How to Write 锚 (máo) — Meaning “Anchor”

Imagine a metal anchor shaped like a plant seedling sprouting from the seabed — the left side is the metal chain and the right side is the curly hook. Another trick: think of a boat that "meows" (máo) like a cat when it drops anchor, though the sound is just a coincidence.

The left radical 钅 must be written narrow and tall, with the third stroke (一横) slightly shorter than the top stroke. On the right, 苗 has a grass radical on top (艹) with three horizontal strokes — be careful not to make the bottom 田 too wide, or the character will look unbalanced.

锚 means "anchor" and uses the phonetic component 苗 (miáo), while 铐 means "handcuffs" with 考 (kǎo) as phonetic. 铑 is a chemical element (rhodium) and uses 老 (lǎo). Visually, the right sides are different: 苗 (grass over field), 考 (old man with a bend), and 老 (old).

锚 is common in maritime contexts, as in 抛锚 (pāo máo, to drop anchor) and 船锚 (chuán máo, ship anchor). It also appears in everyday speech: 抛锚 can mean "to break down" (like a car stalling). You might see 锚地 (máo dì) for anchorage zones on maps or in port information.

Common words containing 锚 include: 抛锚 (pāo máo) — to drop anchor; to break down (of a vehicle); 船锚 (chuán máo) — Anchor; 锚地 (máo dì) — Anchorage.