not yet; 8th terrestrial branch
longer lower horizontal
5 strokes · Radical: 木未 vs 末: the horizontal strokes make the difference
TELL THEM APART AT A GLANCE
未longer lower horizontal · wèi · not yet; 8th terrestrial branch
末longer top horizontal · mò · end, final, last; insignificant
01 · SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Which horizontal stroke is longer?
Dark red marks the deciding stroke
VS
Play each character and compare the highlighted details.
end, final, last; insignificant
longer top horizontal
5 strokes · Radical: 木Why the difference is easy to miss
Your eye sees the shared shape before the line length.
Both characters are built around 木-like strokes, so a quick glance can hide which horizontal line extends farther.
Ignore the whole shape. Compare the two upper lines.
Do not rely on meaning first. Trace the longer horizontal line before you read the character.
Choose the right character.
Which character appears in 未来?
Choose one answer.Which character appears in 周末?
Choose one answer.Which character means “not yet; 8th terrestrial branch”?
Choose one answer.How do I tell 未 and 末 apart?
Compare the two upper horizontal strokes: 未 has the longer lower stroke, while 末 has the longer top stroke.
Which words make the difference useful?
Read 未 in 未来 (future) and 末 in 周末 (weekend), then check the stroke contrast again.