How to Write 飐 (zhǎn) — Meaning “To sway in the wind”

Picture a wind (风) blowing against a flagpole that "occupies" (占) the sky, making the flag sway and flutter. The image of wind occupying a spot and causing movement helps link the character to its meaning.

Write the left radical 风 first with its hook stroke curving inward, then add the right part 占, which starts with a short vertical stroke. A common mistake is making the right side too tall; the 占 should stay level with the 风 radical.

飑 (biāo) means a sudden, strong wind or squall, while 飒 (sà) describes a rustling, brisk wind sound. In contrast, 飐 specifically focuses on the movement of objects swaying or fluttering in the wind, not the wind itself or its sound.

飐 is a classical or literary character rarely used in daily conversation, appearing mostly in poetry or descriptive prose to evoke a gentle swaying scene. For example, 飐动 describes leaves or banners fluttering in a breeze, giving a vivid visual of graceful motion.

Common words containing 飐 include: 飐动 (zhǎn dòng) — To sway or flutter in the wind; 随风飐 (suí fēng zhǎn) — To flutter or sway in the wind; 飐飐 (zhǎn zhǎn) — Swaying; fluttering.