How to Write 黍 (shǔ) — Meaning “broomcorn millet”

Imagine a millet plant (the top part 禾) growing next to a water source (the bottom part 水). The shape looks like a stalk of grain with water underneath, reminding you that millet needs water to grow.

Pay attention to the bottom water radical: it is written with a left-falling stroke, a horizontal hook, a right-falling stroke, and another left-falling stroke. Keep the top grain part narrow and the bottom water part wide to maintain balance. A common mistake is making the water part too small or misplacing its strokes.

Common words include 黍米 (shǔ mǐ, millet grain), 玉黍 (yù shǔ, maize/corn), and 黍子 (shǔ zi, broomcorn millet plant). These are used in farming, cooking, and traditional Chinese contexts.

黍 is not frequently used in daily conversation, but appears in agricultural, historical, or literary contexts. It is one of the traditional five grains in Chinese culture and is often mentioned in classical texts and poetry about ancient life.

Common words containing 黍 include: 黍米 (shǔ mǐ) — millet; 玉黍 (yù shǔ) — Maize; 黍子 (shǔ zi) — broomcorn millet.