How to Write 顺 (shùn) — Meaning “along; in the same direction; smooth”

Imagine a river (川) flowing smoothly past a page (页) of paper on the bank. The water moves in the same direction without obstacles, which reminds you that 顺 means 'smooth' or 'along the same direction.'

The left part 川 has three vertical strokes: the first two are short and slightly slanted, and the third is a long vertical stroke. The right part 页 must be balanced so its top line aligns with the top of the first two strokes of 川, and the last two strokes (a short stroke inside the rectangle and two downward legs) should not be too wide.

顺 has the left component 川 (river), while 顶 (dǐng) has 丁 (nail) on the left and means 'top' or 'to carry on the head,' and 顷 (qǐng) has 匕 (spoon) on the left and means 'a moment' or 'unit of land.' Visually, 顺’s left side has three vertical lines, 顶 has a horizontal line with a hook, and 顷 has a short slanting stroke and a rightward hook.

顺 appears in common words like 顺利 (shùn lì, smoothly) for describing successful progress, and 顺便 (shùn biàn, conveniently) for doing something extra while on the way. It is also used in 顺序 (shùn xù, order) for the correct sequence of items, and carries a positive cultural connotation of harmony and going with the natural flow.

Common words containing 顺 include: 顺利 (shùn lì) — smoothly; successfully; 顺便 (shùn biàn) — conveniently; in passing; by the way; 顺序 (shùn xù) — order; sequence.