How to Write 栓 (shuān) — Meaning “Bolt / Plug / To tie”

Imagine a wooden peg (木) that is pushed in completely (全) to block a hole, like a plug. This mental picture of a "complete wooden stopper" helps you recall the character's shape and meaning of bolt or plug.

For the left part 木, write the horizontal stroke first, then the vertical, then left-falling and right-falling strokes. The right part 全 starts with a small 人 (person) on top, then a 王 (king) below. The overall character should be balanced, with the 木 slightly narrower and the 全 occupying about two-thirds of the width.

栓 has the meaning of a bolt or plug from its 全 component, while 杪 (miǎo) means treetop or tip, with 少 (few/small) inside. 杭 (háng) refers to a place name or a type of boat, using 亢 (high). Visually, 栓 has a 全 on the right, whereas 杪 has 少 and 杭 has 亢, making each unique in both structure and meaning.

栓 commonly appears in everyday words like 消火栓 (fire hydrant) and 栓住 (to tie up or fasten). In medical contexts, 栓子 means an embolus (a blood clot). Culturally, red fire hydrants (消火栓) are a familiar sight in Chinese cities, often marked with signs to indicate emergency water sources.

Common words containing 栓 include: 消火栓 (xiāo huǒ shuān) — fire hydrant; 栓住 (shuān zhù) — To tie up / To fasten; 栓子 (shuān zi) — Plug / Stopper / Embolus.