How to Write 恂 (xún) — Meaning “Sincere; apprehensive”

Imagine a person who is both sincere and nervous, carefully thinking for ten whole days (旬) before speaking — the heart radical 忄 reminds you it is about feelings. This picture of careful, heartfelt waiting helps link the form to the meanings of sincere and apprehensive.

The left radical 忄 is written first: a vertical stroke followed by a dot on the left side, then a dot on the right side. The right part 旬 starts with a left-falling stroke, then a horizontal stroke and vertical hook, and finally the enclosed component 日. Make sure the left side is narrow and the right side is slightly wider, keeping the balance.

All three share the heart radical 忄, but their right parts differ: 忡 has 中 (zhōng, middle), 恂 has 旬 (xún, ten-day period), and 忤 has 午 (wǔ, noon). In meaning, 忡 means "sad" or "worried," 忤 means "disobedient" or "contrary," while 恂 means "sincere" or "fearful." The pronunciation and the shape of the right component are the key visual clues.

恂 is quite rare in everyday modern Chinese and appears mostly in classical or literary contexts, such as idioms like 恂恂 (sincere and respectful) and 恂栗 (trembling with fear). You might encounter it in formal writing, old texts, or poetry to describe a person's cautious, honest, or anxious character.

Common words containing 恂 include: 恂恂 (xún xún) — Sincere and respectful; careful; 恂栗 (xún lì) — Trembling with fear; 恂惧 (xún jù) — Fearful; apprehensive.