How to Write 诎 (qū) — Meaning “To bend / To yield / To be exhausted”

Picture the right part 出 as three fingers sticking out, and the left radical 讠 as a speech bubble saying "bend". This reminds you of the common word 诎指 (qū zhǐ, to bend fingers to count). Visualize bending those three fingers while counting, and you'll link the shape to the meaning of bending or yielding.

The left radical 讠 is made of two strokes: a dot and a horizontal hook. The right part 出 has five strokes: start with a vertical stroke, then a horizontal stroke (forming a corner), then another vertical, another horizontal, and finally a vertical. A common mistake is making the three vertical strokes in 出 uneven in length; keep the middle one shortest and the last one longest for balance.

The key difference is the right component: 诎 has 出 (go out), 讦 has 干 (shield or do), and 讧 has 工 (work). Their meanings are also distinct: 诎 means to bend or yield, 讦 (jié) means to expose or accuse, and 讧 (hòng) means to quarrel or cause strife. Visually, 出 has multiple vertical lines while 干 and 工 are simpler, making them easy to tell apart.

诎 is rare in everyday speech but appears in formal or literary expressions like 计穷力诎 (jì qióng lì qū, having exhausted all plans and strength) and 诎服 (qū fú, to submit). It also appears in the classical phrase 诎指 (qū zhǐ, to bend fingers while counting). Knowing this character helps you understand older Chinese texts and idioms.

Common words containing 诎 include: 诎服 (qū fú) — To submit; to yield; 计穷力诎 (jì qióng lì qū) — at one's wits' end; exhausted all resources; 诎指 (qū zhǐ) — To bend one's fingers (often for counting).