How to Write 蓄 (xù) — Meaning “To store or save”

Imagine a grass (艹) field (田) where a farmer uses his hand (彐) to collect and store grain. The hand holds the harvest over the field, reminding you of the meaning "to store or save." This visual connects the parts to the action of saving.

Write the top grass radical (艹) wide, then the middle 彐 (three strokes: horizontal, horizontal, vertical) centrally. The bottom 田 should be narrow but not too small; its vertical stroke must align with the center of the character above. Common mistake is making the middle 彐 too large, which unbalances the whole character.

蓄 (xù) means "to store" and has 艹 + 彐 + 田. 莿 (cì) means "thorn" and has 艹 + 刺 (with a knife radical 刂). 菀 (wǎn) refers to a type of plant or means "luxuriant," and has 艹 + 宛 (with a rabbit-like bottom). The key visual difference is the center part: 蓄 has a clear field (田) while the others do not.

蓄 appears in common words like 储蓄 (chǔ xù, to save money) for bank accounts, and 蓄水 (xù shuǐ, to store water) for reservoirs or water tanks. It also describes growing hair long in 蓄发 (xù fà). This character is often used in formal or written contexts about saving resources or preparing for the future.

Common words containing 蓄 include: 储蓄 (chǔ xù) — savings; to save money; 蓄水 (xù shuǐ) — To store water; 蓄发 (xù fà) — To grow one's hair long.