How to Write 套 (tào) — Meaning “set; cover; case; suit”

Imagine a big hand (大) with claws (㕚) putting on a glove—this reminds you that 套 means 'cover' or 'glove' (手套). The visual of a big claw grabbing a set of items also helps you recall 'a set' (一套).

Start with the top 大 (big), making sure the horizontal stroke is wide. Then write the bottom part carefully: it has a left-falling stroke, then a horizontal, a vertical, another horizontal, a left-falling, and finally a dot—do not change the order or make the bottom too wide.

套 has a claw-like bottom (㕚), while 奄 (yǎn) has a bottom like 电 (with a vertical hook) and 奇 (qí) has a bottom like 可 (with a horizontal and mouth). Their meanings are different: 套 is for sets and covers, 奄 is rare (means 'sudden'), and 奇 means 'strange'.

套 is used in everyday words like 一套 (a set/suit), 手套 (gloves), and 套餐 (set meal). You see it when ordering a combo at fast-food restaurants or buying a phone case (手机套).

Common words containing 套 include: 一套 (yī tào) — a set; a suit; 手套 (shǒu tào) — gloves; 套餐 (tào cān) — set meal; package.