舵 duò helm
helm; rudder
How to remember 舵: 舟 boat + 它 it = helm. On his uncle's boat, the boy learns that it only turns left when he pushes right on the helm.
Component breakdown
舵 = 舟 boat + 它 it
- 舟 boat
- 它 it
On his uncle's boat, the boy learns that it only turns left when he pushes right on the helm.
How it is used
- The rudder/helm - 掌舵 (zhǎngduò) to be at the helm (literal and figurative: to lead an organization), 舵手 (duòshǒu) helmsman.
- Idiom 见风使舵 (jiànfēng-shǐduò) to trim one's sails to the wind, i.e. be opportunistic - usually derogatory.