How to Write 挚 (zhì) — Meaning “sincere”

Picture a hand (手) holding a heartfelt promise (执) tightly — this image of holding sincerity in your hand can remind you that 挚 means 'sincere'. The top part 执 looks a bit like a person reaching out, and the bottom 手 is the hand doing the reaching.

Write the top part 执 first, making sure the right side (丸) is balanced and not too wide. The bottom 手 should be slightly narrower than the top, with the vertical stroke of 手 aligned roughly with the center of the character. A common mistake is making the bottom hand too large, which throws off the overall proportion.

Unlike 承受 (chéng, 'to bear'), which has a different top component and means 'to support', 挚 focuses on emotion and sincerity. 拳 (quán, 'fist') also contains 手 but adds 龹 above, meaning 'fist' or 'boxing' — so it is physical, while 挚 is emotional. Visually, 挚 has a more balanced top-bottom structure compared to the squarer 承 and the top-heavy 拳.

挚 appears in formal or emotional words like 挚友 (close friend) and 真挚 (sincere feelings). It often describes deep, genuine relationships or emotions, and carries a positive, respectful tone. You might see it in letters, speeches, or literature rather than casual everyday conversation.

Common words containing 挚 include: 挚友 (zhì yǒu) — close friend; 真挚 (zhēn zhì) — sincere; cordial; 诚挚 (chéng zhì) — sincere; cordial.