How to Write 汜 (sì) — Meaning “stream branching off”

Imagine a river (氵) splitting into two paths like a snake (巳, which looks like a coiled snake). The snake represents the branching-off nature of the stream. This visual of water dividing at a snake-like curve helps recall the meaning of 'stream branching off'.

Write the water radical (氵) first as three dots: dot, dot, then a short rising stroke. Then add 巳 on the right, which has three strokes: a horizontal hook, a vertical curve, and a final horizontal stroke that closes the shape. Keep the right part compact and centered relative to the left radical.

汜 (sì) means a stream branch and uses the water radical plus 巳. 㳄 (xián) is a rare character meaning saliva or to spit, with water on the left and 欠 (yawn) on the right. 氿 (guǐ or jiǔ) refers to a spring or water source from a cave, with water on the left and 九 (nine) on the right. The right-side components are visually distinct: 巳, 欠, and 九 respectively.

汜 is not common in daily speech but appears in place names, especially the Si River (汜水) in Henan Province, China. It also occurs in classical literary contexts, such as in the idiom '汜博' meaning extensive or profound knowledge. Today, you are most likely to encounter it in historical geography or poetry.

Common words containing 汜 include: 汜水 (sì shuǐ) — Si River; 汜人 (sì rén) — people of Si; 汜博 (sì bó) — extensive / profound.