How to Write 槭 (qī) — Meaning “Maple”

Imagine that a maple tree (木) is so beautiful in autumn that it makes all your relatives (戚) come to see it. The right side 戚 looks like a group of people (relatives) standing next to the tree. This helps you remember both the shape and the sound qī.

Pay attention to the right side 戚: it has a 戈 (spear) component at the bottom, not a different shape. The left side 木 should be narrow, and the right side 戚 wider, so the whole character balances well. A common mistake is forgetting the small horizontal stroke inside the 戚 part.

槭 means "maple" and has the right side 戚, while 椴 (duàn) means "lime tree" or "basswood" and uses 段. 椹 (zhēn or shèn) means "mulberry" and uses 甚. Visually, the right parts are completely different, so focus on those to tell them apart.

槭 is used mostly in the words 槭树 (maple tree) and 槭叶 (maple leaf), especially when describing autumn scenery. Maple trees are famous for their red leaves in fall, and poets often use them to express beauty or sadness. You will see this character in nature writing, gardens, and paintings.

Common words containing 槭 include: 槭树 (qī shù) — Maple tree; 槭叶 (qī yè) — Maple leaf; 红槭 (hóng qī) — red maple.