How to Write 埶 (yì) — Meaning “skill / art / to plant”

Imagine a person kneeling (the top part 坴 looks like a bent figure) planting a seed into the earth (土). This visual links "planting" to the character, and since planting requires skill, you remember both meanings.

Write the top part 坴 first with 7 strokes: a vertical, then two horizontal lines, then a hook-like stroke, then two more strokes. Finish with the bottom 土 (3 strokes: horizontal, vertical, horizontal). Common mistake: making the top part too wide or forgetting that the bottom 土 should be centered under the top.

埶 has 坴 (a complex top) above 土, while 型 has 刑 (a knife over earth) above 土 and means "model". 垌 has 同 on the right of 土 and is used for field paths or place names. Visually, 埶 looks like a bent figure on earth, while 型 has a sharp "knife" shape and 垌 has a box-like 同.

埶 is very rare in modern Chinese, mainly appearing in ancient texts or as a component in the common character 藝 (yì, art). You might see it in classical words like 埶艺 (arts and crafts) or 埶能 (ability). Knowing it helps understand the historical connection between farming and skillful crafts.

Common words containing 埶 include: 埶艺 (yì yì) — arts and crafts / skills; 埶能 (yì néng) — ability / skill; 埶位 (yì wèi) — position / status.