How to Write 逍 (xiāo) — Meaning “Leisurely / Free”

Picture a little moon (肖) taking a leisurely walk (辶) across the night sky. The "little moon" (肖) moves slowly and freely, matching the carefree meaning of 逍.

The left radical 辶 must be written first, with the final stroke being a long, sweeping curve that carries the right part. The right component 肖 has a small "moon" shape (月) on top of a vertical stroke; be careful not to make the top too wide or the bottom stroke too short.

While 逍 (xiāo) means leisurely or free, 迢 (tiáo) means distant or faraway, and 迤 (yǐ) means winding or extending. Visually, 逍 has 肖 on the right, 迢 has 召 (a call), and 迤 has 也 (also). Their meanings are unrelated—逍 is about a state of mind, 迢 about distance, and 迤 about shape.

逍 appears mainly in the compound 逍遥 (xiāo yáo), meaning carefree or free and easy, and in idioms like 逍遥自在 (unrestrained) and 逍遥法外 (to remain at large after committing a crime). It is not used alone in daily speech but is common in literary or philosophical contexts, often describing a relaxed, wandering lifestyle.

Common words containing 逍 include: 逍遥 (xiāo yáo) — Free and easy / Carefree; 逍遥自在 (xiāo yáo zì zài) — Leisurely and carefree; 逍遥法外 (xiāo yáo fǎ wài) — To remain at large.