How to Write 酋 (qiú) — Meaning “Chief / Head of a tribe”

Picture a tribal chief wearing a ceremonial headdress shaped like the top of 酋, with the 酉 part representing a wine bottle he holds. Think: "The chief (酋) raises his wine glass (酉) to lead a toast." This visual links the dignified leader with the wine vessel component.

Start with the top strokes: a horizontal line, then the two small strokes inside, followed by the lower enclosure. The most common mistake is making the 酉 part too wide; keep it narrow so the character stays balanced. Ensure the bottom horizontal stroke of 酉 is slightly longer than the top one to stabilize the shape.

酉 is just the wine vessel radical alone, used as a sign for 'wine' or as a component; 酋 adds the top part to mean 'chief'. 酊 (dǐng) means 'drunk' and contains 丁 below 酉, whereas 酋 has a different top structure. Visually, 酋 has extra strokes above 酉, while 酉 is simpler and 酊 has a 丁 below.

酋 appears mainly in historical or cultural contexts, like 酋长 (chieftain) referring to leaders of indigenous tribes, or 敌酋 (enemy chief) in war narratives. It is not common in daily conversation, but you might encounter it in books, movies about ancient tribes, or video games featuring tribal leaders. The character carries a sense of authority tied to traditional or non-imperial leadership structures.

Common words containing 酋 include: 酋长 (qiú zhǎng) — Chieftain / Tribal leader; 敌酋 (dí qiú) — Enemy chieftain; enemy leader; 枭酋 (xiāo qiú) — ringleader; chieftain of a gang.