How to Write 饕 (tāo) — Meaning “gluttonous; greedy”

Imagine a greedy beast that roars (號) for more food (食) — this matches the mythical glutton 饕餮. Picture the roaring mouth of the beast always open for the next bite. The visual of a hungry animal crying out for food helps link the shape to the meaning of greed.

饕 has 22 strokes, so careful spacing is vital. The left radical 食 must be narrow, while the right side 號 is tall and complex — be sure to write the mouth (口) and tiger (虎) components clearly inside 號. A common mistake is making the left and right sides unbalanced; keep the left compact and the right slightly wider.

饕 (tāo) means gluttonous or greedy, while 饔 (yōng) means breakfast or a cooked meal — they have very different meanings. Visually, 饕 has the complex right side 號 (roar), while 饔 contains the component 雍 (harmony) on the right. In usage, 饕 often appears in mythical or foodie contexts, whereas 饔 is rare and literary.

饕 is most common in the word 饕餮 (a mythical greedy beast) and in phrases like 饕客 (foodie) to describe someone who loves fine food. It also appears in formal or literary descriptions of extreme greed. Culturally, 饕餮 is a well-known symbol from ancient Chinese bronzes, representing excess and warning against gluttony.

Common words containing 饕 include: 饕餮 (tāo tiè) — glutton; a mythical beast known for its greed; a feast; 饕客 (tāo kè) — foodie; gourmet; glutton; 贪饕 (tān tāo) — Gluttonous / Voracious.