How to Write 酶 (méi) — Meaning “enzyme”

Think of the phrase: "Every (每) wine (酉) needs an enzyme to ferment." The image of a winemaking process helps connect the components to the meaning of enzyme, a catalyst for chemical changes.

Keep the left part 酉 narrow and the right part 每 slightly wider. A common mistake is making the inner strokes of 酉 too tight — leave enough space for the horizontal lines. Also, ensure the vertical stroke of 每 goes straight down, not curved.

All three share the 酉 radical, but 酶 means enzyme, 酡 (tuó) means a flushed face from drinking alcohol, and 酢 (cù) means vinegar. Visually, 酶 has 每 on the right, 酡 has 它, and 酢 has 乍, so the right part changes the meaning completely.

酶 is used in scientific and medical contexts, such as in words like 蛋白酶 (protease) and 辅酶 (coenzyme). It is not common in everyday conversation, but you might see it in textbooks or on product labels about digestion or fermentation, like in making soy sauce.

Common words containing 酶 include: 蛋白酶 (dàn bái méi) — protease; 辅酶 (fǔ méi) — Coenzyme; 脂肪酶 (zhī fáng méi) — lipase.