How to Write 制 (zhì) — Meaning “To make / To control / To restrict.”

Imagine a cow (牛) standing next to a knife (刂) — you use the knife to control or "make" the cow behave. This visual helps you remember that 制 means both "to make" and "to control."

The left part (牛) is written with four strokes: first the two horizontal lines, then a vertical line, and finally a short upward stroke. Be careful not to connect the two horizontal strokes, and keep the right side (刂) slim with a vertical line and a small hook. A common mistake is making the left side too wide or forgetting the hook on the knife radical.

制 uses a cow component on the left and means "to make" or "to control," while 刎 (wěn) has a mouth or tongue component and means "to cut one's throat." 刑 (xíng) has a well or open container on the left and specifically refers to punishment or penalty. Visually, 制 is wider and more balanced, whereas 刎 and 刑 have different left-side radicals.

制 appears in common words like 制作 (to make/produce) and 控制 (to control). In Chinese culture, 制 is often used in government or system contexts, such as 制度 (system/institution), reflecting the idea of creating rules to manage society. It is a practical character found in everyday life, from manufacturing to regulations.

Common words containing 制 include: 制作 (zhì zuò) — To make / To produce.; 制度 (zhì dù) — System / Institution.; 控制 (kòng zhì) — to control.