How to Write 酞 (tài) — Meaning “phthalein”

Think of 酞 sounding like "tie" — imagine tying a chemical flask with a string to remember it is a chemical compound. The right part 太 can also remind you of "tài" as in "too much," hinting that phthalein compounds are often used in large molecules.

Pay attention to the left radical 酉: it must be slightly narrower than the right part, and the inner horizontal strokes should be parallel and even. For the right part 太, the dot sits above the left-falling stroke (撇), not crossing it, and the character overall is balanced left to right.

酞 (tài) uses 太 on the right and means phthalein, a chemical term. 酊 (dǐng) has 丁 (dīng) and means tincture, like a medicinal extract. 酋 (qiú) has a different top (like two dots) and means tribal chief or leader, not a chemistry word.

酞 is almost only used in scientific or chemical contexts, such as in 酚酞 (fēn tài, phenolphthalein), a pH indicator, and 酞酸 (tài suān, phthalic acid). You will not encounter it in daily conversation; it is a specialized character for professionals or students of chemistry.

Common words containing 酞 include: 酚酞 (fēn tài) — phenolphthalein; 酞酸 (tài suān) — phthalic acid; 酞菁 (tài jīng) — phthalocyanine.