How to Write 驼 (tuó) — Meaning “camel; humpbacked”

Imagine a horse (马) that has grown a hump on its back, like the shape of the right side 它. The right part looks like a bent person carrying a heavy load, which reminds you of a camel's hump. So 驼 is a horse with a hump: a camel.

Write the left radical 马 first with a hook stroke, then the right side 它. A common mistake is making the left part too wide; it should be narrow, about one-third of the character. The last stroke of 它 is a vertical hook that curves right – be careful not to make it straight.

驼 means camel, while 驮 (also tuó) means to carry on the back – note 驮 has 大 (big) on the right, showing a person carrying something. 驯 (xùn) means tame or gentle and has the radical 川 on the right. So 驼 is a noun for the animal, 驮 is a verb, and 驯 is an adjective.

It appears in common words like 骆驼 (camel), 驼背 (hunchback), and 驼色 (camel color, a light tan). In culture, 骆驼 is linked to the ancient Silk Road, and 驼色 is a popular neutral color in fashion. You might also see it in literature about deserts or traditional trade.

Common words containing 驼 include: 骆驼 (luò tuó) — Camel; 驼背 (tuó bèi) — hunchback; stoop; 驼色 (tuó sè) — camel color; tan.