Chinese character 矍

It evokes a quick, startled look; 矍铄 instead praises lasting vigor.

Early forms appear in Warring States Chu manuscripts, texts from Chu, an ancient Chinese state. The early Chinese character dictionary Shuowen Jiezi explains the shape as a bird struggling against a hand that holds it. That image helps make sense of the character’s association with sudden, alert movement.

In the Han-era rhapsody 東都賦, a long, formal prose poem, one use of 矍然 describes someone startled into losing composure; another describes abrupt action.

Why does 矍 change meaning in compounds?

The compound tells you which kind of alert motion is meant.

矍铄 is the bright exception: it describes an older person who stays strong and energetic. 矍然 marks a sudden reaction, while the repeated 矍矍 can depict restless looking or movement.

How do I type 矍?

Type jue in a Pinyin input method; stroke input is another option.

In a Chinese Pinyin input method, enter jue and choose 矍 from the candidates. As of 2026-09-08, Google Pinyin also documents stroke input: type u, then enter the character’s stroke codes h, s, p, n, z, or d in order. If it renders as a square, switch to a font with Chinese character coverage.