How to Write 组 (zǔ) — Meaning “group, set, to organize”

Imagine silk threads (纟) tying together the three horizontal lines in 且, which looks like a small shelf with items. This picture helps you remember that 组 means “group” – items or people tied together.

Yes, the right side 且 has five strokes: first a vertical line, then a horizontal turn, then three short horizontals. Make sure the left silk radical 纟 is narrow, and the right side is wider and balanced. A common mistake is writing 且 with uneven spacing between the horizontal lines.

The key is the right part: 组 has 且 (used in words about groups), 纡 has 于 (meaning winding), and 红 has 工 (meaning work or red). Visually, 组’s right side looks like a box with three lines, while 纡 has a curved stroke and 红 has a simple T-shaped 工.

组 appears in common words like 小组 (small group), 组织 (organization or to organize), and 组合 (combination). In Chinese culture, students often form 小组 for class projects, and 组 is also used as a measure word for sets of items, such as 一组照片 (a set of photos).

Common words containing 组 include: 小组 (xiǎo zǔ) — Group; 组织 (zǔ zhī) — organization, to organize; 组合 (zǔ hé) — combination, to assemble.