How to Write 愍 (mǐn) — Meaning “to pity”

Picture a person (民) with a heart (心) that cries for others' suffering. The top part 民 looks like a simplified person, and the bottom heart reminds you the feeling comes from the heart.

The top part 民 has 5 strokes: write the left-falling stroke first, then the horizontal and vertical hooks. Be careful that the bottom 心 is written with a left dot, a curved stroke, a middle dot, and a right dot — the whole character is balanced horizontally.

㥯 (yǐn) is extremely rare and has a different top component (皀/既), and 恿 (yǒng) means boldness or courage, with a top part 甬. Unlike 愍 which expresses pity, 恿 describes a daring heart. Their visual details and meanings are completely distinct.

愍 is a literary character rarely used in daily speech, appearing mainly in classical texts, Buddhist scriptures, or formal writing. It often occurs in compounds like 哀愍 (to feel pity) or 怜愍 (compassion), conveying a deep, sincere sympathy.

Common words containing 愍 include: 哀愍 (āi mǐn) — to feel pity for; 怜愍 (lián mǐn) — pity; compassion; 愍念 (mǐn niàn) — to commiserate.