How to Write 浠 (xī) — Meaning “Xi (name of a river)”

Imagine a rare (希) river (氵) that flows through a quiet valley. The sound ‘xī’ can remind you of the English word ‘seek’ – as if you are seeking a hidden river called the Xi River.

Write the water radical first as three strokes: short left-falling stroke, then a dot, then a short rising line. The right part 希 starts with a left-falling stroke, then horizontal, and finishes with a vertical hook – keep the overall shape balanced so the left side is narrow and the right side is wider.

浠 (xī) has 希 on the right and means a river name, while 沫 (mò) has 末 (meaning 'end' or 'tip') and means foam or froth. 沭 (shù) has 术 (meaning 'art' or 'skill') and is the name of a river in Shandong. Visually, the right side shapes are different: 希 is taller with more strokes than 末 or 术.

浠 is almost only used in place names, especially 浠水 (Xīshuǐ), a county in Hubei Province famous for its scenic Xi River. You will not see it in daily conversation or HSK vocabulary, but it appears in geography and local culture, such as in references to 浠水's hot springs and natural beauty.

Common words containing 浠 include: 浠水 (xī shuǐ) — Xishui (a river or place name); 浠河 (xī hé) — Xi River; 浠江 (xī jiāng) — Xi River.