How to Write 匝 (zā) — Meaning “Circuit / Round / To encircle”

Imagine a towel (巾) being wrapped tightly around a box (匚) to make one complete circuit. You can also think of the pinyin 'zā' as sounding like 'za-za-za' as you zip around a circle.

Start with the outer frame 匚: write a horizontal line, then a vertical line downward, then a horizontal line at the bottom (like a U shape). Then inside write 巾: first the middle vertical stroke, then the horizontal fold from left to right, and finally the right vertical. Make sure the 巾 does not touch the top of the box.

匝 has 巾 (cloth) inside the box radical and means 'circuit' or 'to encircle'. 匠 has 斤 (axe) inside and means 'craftsman'. 匛 is a rare character with 九 (nine) inside, meaning an old coffin. The meaning changes completely based on the inner component, even though the outer box looks the same.

匝 is most commonly seen in the word 匝道 (zā dào), which means a highway ramp or a curved road that loops onto a main road. It also appears in technical writing about circuits (一匝 means one full loop) but is not used in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 匝 include: 匝道 (zā dào) — Ramp (on a highway); 一匝 (yī zā) — one round; one circuit; 绕匝 (rào zā) — To encircle or go around..