How to Write 贽 (zhì) — Meaning “Gift presented to a superior”

Imagine you are holding (执) a precious shell coin (贝) in your hand to give as a gift to your boss or teacher. The top part 执 looks like a hand grasping something, and the bottom 贝 is a symbol of wealth. This picture helps you remember that 贽 means a gift presented to a superior.

Write the top part 执 first, from left to right, with 6 strokes including a hook at the end of the last stroke. Then add the bottom 贝 with 4 strokes. A common mistake is making the 贝 part too small or misaligning it under 执, so keep the bottom shell balanced and slightly wider than the top.

贽 has 执 (to hold) on top and 贝 below, while 责 (zé, responsibility) has a flat top (一) above 贝, and 贤 (xián, virtuous) is a left-right structure with 贝 on the left and a different right side (like 又 with a dot). In meaning, 贽 is a gift, 责 is a duty, and 贤 describes a worthy person.

贽 is rarely used in everyday conversation and appears mostly in classical literature or formal ceremonial language. It appears in words like 贽礼 (a gift given on first meeting) and 贽见 (to visit with a gift), reflecting an ancient custom of presenting gifts to elders or superiors as a sign of respect. Today, you may encounter it in historical texts or traditional etiquette descriptions.

Common words containing 贽 include: 贽礼 (zhì lǐ) — Gift given on first meeting; 贽见 (zhì jiàn) — Visit with a gift; 奠贽 (diàn zhì) — ceremonial gifts.