How to Write 骛 (wù) — Meaning “To gallop or pursue”

Picture a horse (马) galloping so fast it throws a spear (矛) forward with great force (攵). The image of horse and spear together helps you recall that 骛 means to gallop or pursue, like chasing a target.

Write the horse radical 马 first (3 strokes), then the upper part 矛 (5 strokes), and finally the bottom-right 攵 (4 strokes). A common mistake is confusing the right side with 务 (wù), which has 夂 instead of 矛+攵. Make sure the 矛 includes a vertical hook stroke.

骛 (wù) means to pursue or aim, and its right side is 敄. 骊 (lí) refers to a black horse and has 丽 on the right. 骋 (chěng) means to gallop freely, with 甹 on the right. Visually, only 骛 contains the 矛 component, which helps you remember its distinct meaning.

骛 is rarely used alone; it appears in literary set phrases like 好高骛远 (aim too high) and 心无旁骛 (fully concentrated). Culturally, 心无旁骛 is a positive idiom praising deep focus, often used in study or work advice, while 好高骛远 carries a warning against unrealistic goals.

Common words containing 骛 include: 好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) — aim too high; reach for what is beyond one's grasp; 心无旁骛 (xīn wú páng wù) — fully concentrated; undistracted; 骛利 (wù lì) — To pursue profit.