How to Write 阡 (qiān) — Meaning “path between fields”

Imagine a field with a thousand (千) tiny footpaths, each one a little mound (阝). The radical looks like a hill on the left, and the number 千 reminds you of many paths. So 阡 = a thousand paths between fields.

The left radical 阝 is written in two strokes: first a curve down and left, then a vertical stroke with a hook. The right part 千 has a short left-slanting stroke at the top, then a horizontal line, and a vertical hook down the middle. Keep the two sides balanced and do not make the right side too tall.

阡 (qiān) means a path between fields and uses the radical 阝 for terrain plus 千. 邓 (dèng) is a surname and uses 又 (hand) instead of 千; it has no connection to paths. 邗 (hán) is a place name and uses 干 (shield) instead of 千; it refers to an ancient city, not farmland paths.

阡 appears mainly in the literary or historical compound 阡陌 (qiānmò), meaning crisscross paths in fields. It is rarely used alone in daily speech but appears in classical poetry to evoke rural landscapes. In modern contexts, you might see it in place names or descriptions of ancient farmland layouts.

Common words containing 阡 include: 阡陌 (qiān mò) — paths between fields; crisscross paths; 阡 (qiān) — path between fields.