Chinese course / HSK2 / Characters
HSK2: character recognition
Begin with the gentle character starter if these shapes are new. This page is the official HSK 3.0 study list, with links to words containing each character. Use five to ten targets alongside words you already understand.
Look at a character inside a familiar word. Cover the word's reading and meaning, recall them, then open its example to check. Recognising a component alone does not tell you the meaning of every word containing it.
125 characters · Batch 10 of 13. Showing the selected level's list.
往
Learn inside a word
彳 on the left and 主 on the right. Compare with 住, which has 亻 beside the same right part.
往 · wǎng
towards; in the direction of
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 往
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
忘
Learn inside a word
亡 above 心. Compare with 忙, which has 忄 beside 亡.
忘 · wàng
forget
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 忘
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
望
Learn inside a word
An upper part with 亡 and 月 sits above 王. Keep the lower 王 when comparing 望 with 忘.
希望 · xī wàng
hope; wish
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 望
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
为
Learn inside a word
A turning hooked stroke contains small strokes around it. Compare with a model of 力 to notice the additional strokes.
因为 · yīn wèi
because
为 is wèi in 因为. It can be wéi in other words; learn each reading from its own word and use.
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
为什么 · wèi shénme
why
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 为
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
位
Learn inside a word
亻 on the left and 立 on the right. Compare the right part with the 主 in 住.
一位 · yí wèi
one person, with the polite classifier 位
位 is often used respectfully when counting people. It does not replace 个 for every kind of thing.
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
位 · wèi
a polite classifier for people
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 位
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
舞
Learn inside a word
A wide upper part with several uprights sits above two different lower parts. Follow the stroke model to keep the lower left and lower right distinct.
跳舞 · tiào wǔ
dance
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 舞
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
希
Learn inside a word
A crossed upper part sits above 布. The lower part includes a crossing beside 巾.
希望 · xī wàng
hope; wish
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 希
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
洗
Learn inside a word
氵 on the left and 先 on the right. Compare the right-hand part with the 永 in 泳.
洗手 · xǐ shǒu
wash one's hands
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
洗 · xǐ
wash
洗手间 · xǐshǒujiān
toilet; restroom
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 洗
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
笑
Learn inside a word
⺮ above 夭. Compare the lower short sloping top stroke with the horizontal one in 天.
笑 · xiào
smile; laugh
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 笑
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
姓
Learn inside a word
女 on the left and 生 on the right. Compare its right side with the 未 in 妹.
姓 · xìng
have the family name; family name, in selected uses
Practise this character in its guided group. The guided sequence introduces selected useful words across levels.
姓名 · xìngmíng
full name
These are whole-word readings and selected meanings. A character can have another reading or function in another word.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 姓
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Source and coverage
Character lists come from the official HSK 3.0 syllabus. Recognition and handwriting lists remain separate. All listed characters have local stroke models; the guided prose teaches selected characters. This inventory, model practice and word links do not constitute complete character instruction or exam readiness.
Stroke models: Hanzi Writer Data, derived from Make Me a Hanzi. Copyright © 1999 Arphic Technology Co., Ltd. Data is provided without warranty and may be redistributed under the Arphic Public License. The renderer uses the MIT license.