How to Write 腺 (xiàn) — Meaning “gland”

Imagine a "spring" (泉) inside your body (⺼) — a gland is like a small fountain that releases fluids. For example, picture sweat glands as tiny springs under your skin that cool you down.

The left radical ⺼ has two horizontal strokes, not three like 月 (moon), so don't add an extra line. The right part 泉 has 白 on top and 水 below; make sure the strokes for 水 are balanced and the dot in 白 is not too large.

All three share the ⺼ radical, but 脚 (jiǎo) means foot, using the right component 却, while 脱 (tuō) means to take off or escape, with right component 兑. Only 腺 specifically refers to a gland — a secreting organ — not a limb or an action.

腺 is used in medical and biological terms, such as 汗腺 (sweat gland) and 泪腺 (tear gland). It is not common in everyday speech but appears in health, anatomy, and science contexts. There is no special cultural meaning; it is a technical character.

Common words containing 腺 include: 汗腺 (hàn xiàn) — sweat gland; 泪腺 (lèi xiàn) — Tear gland; 腺体 (xiàn tǐ) — gland.