How to Write 务 (wù) — Meaning “affair; business; must”

Picture a person (夂 like a walking figure) pushing a heavy object with all their strength (力). That person must work hard to get the job done, so 务 means 'must' or 'business'. You can also remember: 'You must use your strength to complete affairs.'

Write 务 in 5 strokes: first the top part 夂 (a left-falling stroke, then a horizontal-turn stroke, then a right-falling stroke), then the bottom part 力 (a horizontal-turn-hook followed by a left-falling stroke). A common mistake is making the top part too wide; keep it compact so the whole character looks balanced.

The top of 务 is 夂 (like a backward 'E' without the middle), while 劝 has 又 (like a cross) on the left and 力 on the right. 办 is different because it has two dots on the sides of 力, like 力 with two small marks. Also, 务 means 'affair' or 'must', 劝 means 'to advise', and 办 means 'to do' or 'to handle'.

务 appears in common words like 服务 (service), 任务 (task), and 业务 (business). For example, 服务员 means 'waiter' or 'service staff', and 任务 is used for work assignments. The character also appears in the formal expression 务必 (must/be sure to), which is often used in instructions or polite requests.

Common words containing 务 include: 服务 (fú wù) — service; 任务 (rèn wù) — task / mission; 业务 (yè wù) — Business / Professional work.