How to Write 侵 (qīn) — Meaning “To invade / To encroach / To intrude”

Imagine a person (亻) who uses a hand (又) to push open a covered door (冖) and enter without permission. That action is 'invading.' The stroke pattern looks like a hand reaching under a roof.

The right side has three parts: a dot (㇀), a horizontal cover (冖), and then 又. A common mistake is writing the cover too wide or forgetting the dot. The dot must be placed above the cover, not inside.

伯 (bó) has 亻 + 白, meaning 'uncle' or 'elder,' while 估 (gū) has 亻 + 古, meaning 'estimate.' Both are simple combinations, but 侵 has a more complex right side and means 'invade.' Visually, 伯 and 估 have a simple square right part, unlike 侵's taller right part with a dot and cover.

侵 is used in serious contexts like military invasion (侵略) or rights violation (侵犯). It often appears in news about territorial disputes or legal infringement. Culturally, it carries a strong negative connotation of aggression.

Common words containing 侵 include: 侵犯 (qīn fàn) — To violate / To infringe / To invade; 侵略 (qīn lüè) — To invade / Aggression / Invasion; 入侵 (rù qīn) — to invade.