How to Write 牾 (wǔ) — Meaning “to oppose; to contradict”

Imagine a cow (牛) that keeps saying '吾' (meaning 'I' in old Chinese) to every command — it's always insisting 'I' disagree. This helps you link the character to the idea of opposing or contradicting.

Write the left radical 牛 first, making it narrow and slightly taller, with the vertical stroke ending in a small hook. Then add 吾 on the right, keeping both parts balanced. A common mistake is making the left side too wide or forgetting the hook on the cow radical.

牾 (wǔ) has the right side 吾, meaning 'to oppose,' while 牯 (gǔ) has 古 on the right and means 'bull' or 'cow.' 牮 (jiàn) is very rare and has a different right component. So focus on the right side: 吾 = oppose, 古 = bull, 牮 = unrelated.

牾 is not common in everyday speech and is mainly found in classical or formal writings, such as in the word 抵牾 (dǐ wǔ), meaning 'to contradict' or 'conflict.' You might also see it in historical or literary texts to describe disagreements or opposing views.

Common words containing 牾 include: 抵牾 (dǐ wǔ) — To contradict / Conflict; 牾触 (wǔ chù) — to conflict; to clash; 牾逆 (wǔ nì) — to disobey; to go against.