How to Write 篷 (péng) — Meaning “canopy or sail”

Picture a bamboo mat (竹) that 'meets' (逢) above your head to form a protective cover. This visual of a bamboo canopy meeting overhead helps you link the shape to the meaning of a tent or sail.

Write the top 竹 first, making sure the two '个'-like components are balanced and connected. Then write 逢: start with the 辶 (walk radical) on the left, then the right part 夆 (three horizontal strokes and a vertical hook). A common mistake is to confuse the bottom right with 夆's shape—keep the vertical hook clear and not too long.

篷 (canopy/sail) uses 竹 + 逢, while 箅 (bamboo strainer) uses 竹 + 畀 and has horizontal lines inside. 箍 (hoop/band) uses 竹 + 箍 (a different bottom with a hand radical) and means something that binds, like a metal ring. Remember: 篷 covers overhead; 箅 filters; 箍 tightens.

篷 appears in common words like 帐篷 (tent), 篷车 (covered wagon), and 雨篷 (awning). You might see it in travel, camping, or architecture. Culturally, it evokes traditional Chinese covered boats (篷船) and caravan wagons used in ancient trade routes.

Common words containing 篷 include: 帐篷 (zhàng péng) — tent; 篷车 (péng chē) — covered wagon; 雨篷 (yǔ péng) — canopy; awning.