How to Write 每 (měi) — Meaning “Every / Each”

Imagine a person standing on top of a mother (母) – that person represents "every" child. Since every child has a mother, the image helps you recall that 每 means "every" or "each." This visual trick links the two parts of the character.

Write the top part first: a left-falling stroke (丿), then a horizontal stroke (一), then a vertical stroke (丨) through the middle. Then finish with the bottom part 母: a vertical fold hook, a horizontal line, and two dots. A common mistake is making the vertical stroke too long or forgetting the hook in 母, so keep the proportions balanced.

每 has a slanted stroke (丿) at the top left, like a person's head, while 母 (mother) has no top stroke and starts with a vertical fold. 毒 (poison) also has a horizontal line across the top instead of a slanted stroke, so look for the diagonal to identify 每.

每 is used before time words or measure words to mean "every" or "each," such as 每天 (every day), 每个 (each one), and 每次 (every time). It is very common in daily conversation and emphasizes regularity, like describing routines or repeated actions.

Common words containing 每 include: 每天 (měi tiān) — Every day; 每个 (měi gè) — Each / Every; 每次 (měi cì) — Every time.