How to Write 殖 (shi/zhí) — Meaning “to breed; to multiply; to colonize”

Imagine a straight line (直) of plants growing out of a dead log (歹) — this shows breeding and multiplying even from something lifeless. The straight line reminds you that the word is pronounced "zhí" (like in 繁殖), and the dead log hints at the radical’s meaning of death or decay. This visual helps you link the components to the idea of reproduction and colonization.

殖 has 12 strokes: write the radical 歹 first (4 strokes), then the right side 直 (8 strokes). A common mistake is making the left part too wide — keep 歹 narrow and compact, with the top horizontal stroke short. On the right, the 直 section has three horizontal lines inside; ensure the bottom horizontal is the longest to balance the character.

殉 (xùn) means "to die for a cause" or "burial with the dead" and has a 歹 radical with 旬 (ten days) as phonetic, while 殊 (shū) means "different" or "extraordinary" and uses 朱 (red) as phonetic. Unlike 殖, which focuses on breeding and colonizing, 殉 involves death in service and 殊 describes difference. Visually, 殖 has the long straight component 直 inside, whereas 殉 and 殊 have different right-side parts.

殖 is most commonly used in words like 繁殖 (reproduction of animals/plants) and 养殖 (cultivation, such as fish farming). It also appears in 殖民 (colonization), which carries historical and political connotations related to colonialism. In modern Chinese, it is a formal character and appears in scientific, agricultural, and historical discussions.

Common words containing 殖 include: 繁殖 (fán zhí) — to breed or reproduce; 养殖 (yǎng zhí) — To breed; to cultivate; aquaculture; 骨殖 (gǔ shi) — Remains; bones of the dead..