How to Write 纡 (yū) — Meaning “winding; circuitous”

Imagine a silk thread (纟) that is tied into a series of loops, forming a winding road. The right part 于 looks like a person with arms raised saying "you" — as if asking "you" to follow the twisting path. This visual helps you recall the meaning of winding or circuitous.

Write the left radical 纟 first: start with two dot-stroke combinations (撇折), then a lift (提) — do not make it a horizontal line. For the right part 于, write the horizontal strokes first, then the vertical hook (竖钩); the hook curves left, unlike a straight vertical. Keep the left side narrow and the right side wider for balance.

纡 (yū) means winding or circuitous, while 纠 (jiū) means to twist together or correct, and 红 (hóng) means red. Visually, 纡 uses 于 on the right, 纠 uses 丩 (two crossing lines like a knot), and 红 uses 工 (work). Their pronunciations and meanings are completely different, so context helps you choose correctly.

纡 is a literary character not commonly used in everyday speech. You may see it in the idiom 纡尊降贵 (condescend) or in 纡回 (winding, roundabout) to describe roads or rivers. It also appears in classical poetry to paint a picture of twisting paths or humble gestures.

Common words containing 纡 include: 纡回 (yū huí) — circuitous; roundabout; 纡尊降贵 (yū zūn jiàng guì) — to condescend; to stoop; 纡曲 (yū qū) — winding; tortuous.