How to Write 谓 (wèi) — Meaning “to call, say, or mean”

Think of the right side 胃 which looks like a stomach, and imagine that when you speak from your stomach, you are 'calling' something out. The radical 讠 on the left reminds you it's about speech, so you can remember the phrase: 'My stomach says (讠) to call it 谓.'

Start with the radical 讠: write a dot, then a horizontal fold, and a vertical stroke. Then write the right side 胃: first the top field-like shape (田) with its strokes, then the bottom 月 (moon/body). A common mistake is making the right side too wide; keep it balanced so the character looks compact.

The right sides are different: 谓 has 胃 (stomach), 诫 has 戒 (to warn), and 诬 has 巫 (shaman). Their meanings also differ: 谓 means 'to call or say,' 诫 means 'to warn,' and 诬 means 'to falsely accuse.' Visually, 诫 has a vertical line through the top, while 诬 has two 'people' shapes.

谓 appears in common words like 所谓 (so-called), 无所谓 (doesn't matter), and 称谓 (title). The phrase 无所谓 is very frequently used in daily conversation to express indifference, showing a casual attitude. It is more formal than simple saying 'bù zàiyì' (不在意) and carries a tone of relaxed acceptance.

Common words containing 谓 include: 所谓 (suǒ wèi) — So-called.; 无所谓 (wú suǒ wèi) — Doesn't matter / indifferent; 称谓 (chēng wèi) — title / appellation.