How to Write 韰 (xiè) — Meaning “narrow; thin”

Imagine a leek (韭) that has been squeezed so thin it looks like a flat needle — that is 韰. The sound "xiè" can remind you of "slim" if you say it quickly. This visual of a narrow leek helps link the shape to the meaning.

Pay attention to the top radical 韭: it has three horizontal strokes, a vertical stroke down the middle, and then two small strokes on the sides. The bottom part 䏍 is often confused with 介 — make sure the bottom is a narrow shape with a horizontal line and a small hook-like stroke, not a large rectangle. The whole character should be vertically balanced, with the top slightly wider than the bottom.

韰 and 韱 both contain the top radical 韭, but their bottom parts differ: 韰 has 䏍 while 韱 has a different component (often 㕚 or 韭 with an extra stroke). In meaning, 韰 specifically refers to being narrow and thin, while 韱 can also mean slender but more often appears in ancient names. Visually, 韰 looks more compact and compressed, whereas 韱 has a slightly taller bottom.

韰 is extremely rare and not part of common vocabulary or HSK levels. You might find it in classical texts or in literary words like 韰果 (meaning determined or resolute) and 韰惼 (narrow-minded). It is used mainly in scholarly contexts or historical writings, so learners do not need to memorize it actively.

Common words containing 韰 include: 韰韰 (xiè xiè) — thin and slender; 韰惼 (xiè biǎn) — narrow-minded; 韰果 (xiè guǒ) — determined; resolute.