How to Write 隼 (sǔn) — Meaning “falcon”

Imagine a falcon with ten (十) sharp claws grabbing its prey. The top part 隹 looks like a bird with a long tail, and the bottom 十 reminds you of the number ten, so you remember the falcon's ten claws. This visual helps you connect the shape to the meaning.

Write the top part 隹 first, starting with a left-tilted stroke (丿), then a vertical, then two dots, and finally the horizontal and vertical strokes. The bottom 十 should be centered under the bird, and the horizontal stroke is slightly shorter than the width of 隹. A common mistake is making the bottom 十 too wide or misaligned.

隹 is the bird radical itself and is usually not used alone; 隼 adds the 十 at the bottom to mean a specific bird (falcon). 隺 has a roof-like top (亠) above 隹, and it means crane or another bird. Visually, 隼 has a flat bottom line (十), while 隺 has a covered top.

隼 appears in compound words like 猎隼 (Saker falcon) and 游隼 (Peregrine falcon) for specific falcon species. It is also used in the literary word 隼利, meaning 'sharp and swift like a falcon'. Culturally, falcons symbolize speed, precision, and hunting skill in Chinese tradition.

Common words containing 隼 include: 猎隼 (liè sǔn) — Saker falcon; 游隼 (yóu sǔn) — Peregrine falcon; 隼利 (sǔn lì) — sharp and swift (like a falcon).