How to Write 躯 (qū) — Meaning “body; torso”

Imagine a person (身) standing in a designated area (区). The torso is the main area of the body. So 躯 can be remembered as 'body area' or 'torso region.'

Pay attention to the 身 radical: it has a specific stroke order with a short left-falling stroke first, then horizontals and a hook. The right side 区 is written with three strokes: horizontal, left-falling, then a vertical fold and final horizontal. Keep the left side slightly taller than the right.

All three share the 身 radical, but 躯 means 'body' or 'torso,' while 躬 means 'to bow' or 'personally' (used in 鞠躬). 躲 means 'to hide' or 'dodge' (as in 躲藏). The right side changes: 区 for 躯, 弓 for 躬, and 朵 for 躲.

躯 is used in formal or written language, often in compound words like 躯体 (body), 身躯 (physique), and 躯干 (trunk). It is less common in casual speech, where 身体 (shēn tǐ) is preferred. It appears in medical, literary, or anatomical descriptions.

Common words containing 躯 include: 躯体 (qū tǐ) — body; physique; 身躯 (shēn qū) — body; physique; 躯干 (qū gàn) — trunk; torso.