How to Write 弭 (mǐ) — Meaning “To stop; to put an end to.”

Imagine a bow (弓) pressing against an ear (耳) to stop someone from hearing noise, symbolizing putting an end to sound. The image of a bow silencing an ear helps link the shape to the meaning "to stop."

Write the left radical 弓 first with three strokes: horizontal, vertical hook, then a curved horizontal. Then write the right part 耳 with six strokes: horizontal, vertical, left-falling, raising, vertical, and horizontal. Keep the bow slightly narrower than the ear, and ensure the final horizontal stroke of 耳 extends slightly beyond the left side to balance the character.

弭 (mǐ) uses 弓 plus 耳 and means "to stop," while 弟 (dì) also contains 弓 but has different lower components and means "younger brother." 张 (zhāng) combines 弓 with 长 (long) and means "to open" or "a surname." Visually, 弭 has an ear on the right, whereas 弟 has a vertical hook and two strokes below the bow, and 张 has the component 长 on the right.

弭 is rarely used alone but appears in formal or literary words like 消弭 (to eliminate disputes) and 弭平 (to quell a rebellion). It is common in news or government reports about resolving conflicts or preventing disasters. Culturally, it carries a tone of authoritative intervention, reflecting its origin in stopping arrows or troubles with a bow.

Common words containing 弭 include: 消弭 (xiāo mǐ) — to eliminate; to put an end to; 弭平 (mǐ píng) — To quell; to settle; to put down.; 弭患 (mǐ huàn) — To eliminate trouble; to prevent disaster..