How to Write 搡 (sǎng) — Meaning “to push or shove”

Imagine someone using their hand (扌) to push a person who is picking mulberries (桑). This visual trick helps you recall both the hand radical and the unusual right side of the character.

The left hand radical 扌 should be narrow, while the right part 桑 is wider and has many strokes. A common mistake is writing the three '又' components inside 桑 too tightly; leave enough space so the character stays balanced.

搡 means to push or shove with force, while 捧 means to hold something in both hands, like holding a cup. 挲 (shā/suō) means to stroke or rub lightly. Visually, 搡 uses 桑 on the right, 捧 uses 奉, and 挲 uses 沙.

搡 appears in words like 推搡 (to push and shove), which describes physical pushing during a conflict or in a crowd. It is not a polite word and is usually used when talking about arguments, fights, or rough handling.

Common words containing 搡 include: 推搡 (tuī sǎng) — to push and shove; 搡一把 (sǎng yī bǎ) — to give a shove; 搡出门 (sǎng chū mén) — to push someone out the door.