How to Write 衾 (qīn) — Meaning “quilt; bedclothes”

Imagine a "quilt" that covers you right "now" – 今 sounds like "now" – and it is made from "clothing" (衣). So you can think: "Now I need clothing, a quilt, to keep warm."

The top part 今 must be written compactly with the dot centered above the horizontal stroke. The bottom part 衣 has a vertical hook (竖提) that should align roughly under the dot of 今; a common mistake is making the top too wide or forgetting the hook on the left side of 衣.

衾 (qīn) has 今 on top and means "quilt"; 衮 (gǔn) has 公 on top and means "imperial robe". 表 (biǎo) has a different top (often 青 or 丰) and means "surface" or "watch". Visually, 衾's top is like 今 with a dot, while 衮's top is like 公 (two parts), and 表 has a distinct shape.

衾 is a classical, literary word rarely used in daily conversation; people normally say 被子 (bèizi) for "quilt". It appears in poetry, idioms, or formal descriptions, such as 锦衾 (jǐn qīn, "brocade quilt"), to create an elegant or historical tone.

Common words containing 衾 include: 衾枕 (qīn zhěn) — quilt and pillow; bedding; 锦衾 (jǐn qīn) — Brocade quilt; 衾被 (qīn bèi) — quilt; bedspread.