How to Write 筝 (zhēng) — Meaning “zheng (Chinese zither)”

Picture a bamboo (竹) zither whose strings are pulled tight in a "struggle" (争) with your fingers as you play. This image of bamboo and tension helps link the two parts together in your mind.

Write the top 竹 as two compact '个'-like shapes, not too wide. The bottom 争 should be balanced below it, with a clear left-slanting stroke and a right hook; avoid making the bottom too large so the character doesn't look top-heavy.

笄 (jī) means a hairpin, with 开 under the bamboo radical, while 笆 (bā) means a bamboo fence, with 巴 below. 筝 uses 争 and refers to a musical instrument or kite, so the meanings and bottom parts are completely different.

You will most often see 筝 in 风筝 (kite) which is a common everyday word, and in 古筝 (guzheng), a traditional Chinese zither. The character is culturally significant because the guzheng has been played for over 2,500 years in China.

Common words containing 筝 include: 风筝 (fēng zhēng) — Kite; 古筝 (gǔ zhēng) — Guzheng (Chinese zither); 筝曲 (zhēng qū) — zither music.