How to Write 卸 (xiè) — Meaning “to unload or remove”

Picture a seal (卩) on a box that you stop (止) to open at noon (午) when unloading. This sequence of images helps connect the parts to the meaning of removing or unloading.

Write the left 卩 first (horizontal stroke, then vertical hook), then the upper right 止 (four strokes), and finally the lower right 午 (three strokes). A common mistake is making the left 卩 too wide or mixing up the order of 止 and 午.

卸 has three visible components (卩, 止, 午) while 即 and 却 have only two (卩 and another part). 卸 means ‘to unload’, 即 means ‘immediately’, and 却 means ‘but’ or ‘to retreat’ – their uses are completely different.

You see 卸 in daily activities like 卸货 (unloading cargo), 卸妆 (removing makeup), and 拆卸 (dismantling equipment). It is common in logistics and beauty routines, with 卸妆 being a frequent term in Chinese skincare culture.

Common words containing 卸 include: 卸货 (xiè huò) — to unload cargo; 卸妆 (xiè zhuāng) — to remove makeup; 拆卸 (chāi xiè) — to dismantle; to disassemble.