How to Write 绻 (quǎn) — Meaning “bound; affectionate”

Imagine a silk thread (纟) wrapping tightly around a rolled-up scroll (卷) — this shows something being bound or curled up. This visual can remind you that 绻 means both physically curled (like 绻缩) and emotionally attached (like 缱绻).

Write the left radical 纟 first (3 strokes: 折折提), then the right part 卷 (8 strokes: 点, 撇, 横, 横, 撇, 捺, 横折钩, 竖弯钩). A common mistake is making the last stroke of 卷 a simple hook instead of a clear 竖弯钩 curve, and the two parts should be balanced — the left narrower, the right wider.

绑 (bǎng) uses the radical 纟 with 邦 and means to tie up physically (like tying a rope), while 绒 (róng) uses 纟 with 戎 and means soft fine hair or velvet. 绻 is unique because its right part 卷 (roll) gives it the special meanings of curling up (绻缩) or deep romantic attachment (缱绻), not just physical binding or texture.

绻 is not common alone; it appears mainly in literary or poetic words. The most famous is 缱绻 (qiǎn quǎn), which describes a deeply affectionate, inseparable love, often used in classical poetry and romance. Another is 绻缩 (quǎn suō), meaning to curl up (like a sleeping cat), and 绻恋 (quǎn liàn) for deep longing.

Common words containing 绻 include: 缱绻 (qiǎn quǎn) — Deeply attached; lingering love; 绻恋 (quǎn liàn) — to be deeply attached; longing; 绻缩 (quǎn suō) — to curl up; to huddle.