Chinese course / Character learning
Start recognising Chinese characters
Start with five characters, then stop and revisit them tomorrow. Read the useful word aloud, notice one detail in its shape, and cover the help before trying again. You can keep learning spoken Chinese while character recognition develops.
New to pinyin? First try sounds and pinyin. The character foundations lesson explains characters, words and components.
How to practise without rushing
- Look at one character and its useful word. Use the help as often as you need today.
- Close the help. Try saying the word and recalling its meaning. If it is new, reopen the model and try again later.
- Tomorrow, mix yesterday's five with a few new ones. Spend extra time on shapes you confuse.
- For handwriting, open the stroke panel and follow the model. Copy once carefully on paper, then cover it and write once from memory. Compare the shape and proportions; repeated copying alone does not check recall.
Recognition, pronunciation, typing and handwriting are separate skills. Practise the one you need. Shape cues help you distinguish characters; stroke panels show how to form them. A component clue is not a guaranteed meaning or reading.
This sequence is arranged for learning, not by syllabus level. It teaches 375 simplified characters in useful words, including the shared HSK 1–2 handwriting targets. The readings below apply to those words; some characters have other readings. Use the stroke panels when handwriting is your goal.
Page 12 of 13. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; linked word examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
67. Buildings, places and a network
Read useful place words and keep similar surrounding shapes distinct.
楼
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 娄 on the right. The right side includes 米 above 女.
楼 · lóu
building; floor of a building, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 楼
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.
室
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 above 至. Compare the lower 至 with the left part of 到.
教室 · jiào shì
classroom
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 室
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.
所
Learn the shape and a useful word
户 on the left and 斤 on the right. Compare the right part with the one in 听.
厕所 · cè suǒ
toilet; restroom
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 所
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.
网
Learn the shape and a useful word
An enclosure open along the bottom contains two crossing shapes. Compare the inside with the two 人-like shapes in 肉.
上网 · shàng wǎng
use the internet; go online
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 网
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.
往
Learn the shape and a useful 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
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
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.
Try with the help closed: Read 教室, 厕所 and 上网. What left parts distinguish 往 and 住?
Check and learn
教室 jiào shì means classroom; 厕所 cè suǒ means toilet; 上网 shàng wǎng means go online. 往 has 彳 on the left, while 住 has 亻. 往 wǎng is used for direction.
68. A week, another time and a beginning
Learn common time and counting words inside short expressions.
周
Learn the shape and a useful word
A surrounding part open at the bottom contains 土 above 口. Compare the inside with 同.
周末 · zhōu mò
weekend
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 周
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.
次
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫 on the left and 欠 on the right. Compare the two left strokes with the three strokes of 氵.
一次 · yí cì
once; one time
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 次
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.
每
Learn the shape and a useful word
Short upper strokes sit above 母. Notice the crossing and dots inside the lower shape.
每天 · měi tiān
every day
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 每
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.
始
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 on the left and 台 on the right. 台 contains 厶 above 口.
开始 · kāi shǐ
start; begin
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 始
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.
等
Learn the shape and a useful word
⺮ above 寺. The lower part includes 土 above 寸.
等 · děng
wait; wait for, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 等
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.
Try with the help closed: Read 每天 and 一次. Which expression means every day? Which means one time?
Check and learn
每天 měi tiān means every day; 一次 yí cì means one time or once. 开始 kāi shǐ means start; 等 děng means wait. 周末 zhōu mò means weekend.
69. Finish, prepare and try
Recognise task words and distinguish 已 from the similar 己.
完
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 above 元. Compare its lower part with 元 written alone.
写完 · xiě wán
finish writing
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 完
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.
已
Learn the shape and a useful word
A bent hooked enclosure has an inner vertical that rises partway through the opening. Compare with 己, whose inner stroke ends lower.
已经 · yǐ jīng
already
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 已
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.
准
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫 on the left and 隹 on the right. Compare with 谁, which has 讠 beside the same right part.
准备 · zhǔn bèi
prepare; get ready
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 准
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.
表
Learn the shape and a useful word
A crossed upper part with horizontal lines sits above long spreading and turning lower strokes. Compare with 衣 by checking the extra upper lines.
手表 · shǒu biǎo
wristwatch; watch
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 表
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.
试
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 式 on the right. The right part has a long slanting hook over 工.
试 · shì
try; test, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 试
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.
Try with the help closed: Read 已经 and 准备. Which expression means already? What lower part does 完 share with 元?
Check and learn
已经 yǐ jīng means already; 准备 zhǔn bèi means prepare. 完 has 元 below 宀. 写完 xiě wán means finish writing; 手表 shǒu biǎo means wristwatch.
70. Small words and close shapes
Recognise a sentence marker and distinguish two similar hooked shapes.
啊
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 阿 on the right. The right part includes 阝 beside 可.
啊 · a
sentence particle or exclamation, with pronunciation depending on context
Neutral a is common at the end of a sentence. Exclamations can carry another tone, and the sound can change beside neighbouring sounds.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 啊
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.
别
Learn the shape and a useful word
另 on the left and 刂 on the right. The left part contains 口 above 力.
别 · bié
do not; don't, before a verb in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 别
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.
着
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper crossing with small top strokes sits above 目. Compare its lower enclosure with the one in 看.
看着 · kàn zhe
looking at; watching, with the ongoing action marked by 着
着 is neutral zhe here. Other words use zháo, zhuó or zhāo; learn those separately.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 着
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.
己
Learn the shape and a useful word
A bent hooked enclosure has an inner upright ending lower than the corresponding one in 已. Compare the two models side by side.
自己 · zì jǐ
oneself
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 己
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.
意
Learn the shape and a useful word
音 above 心. The upper part includes 立 above 日.
意思 · yì si
meaning; idea, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 意
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.
Try with the help closed: Which is the second character of 自己, 己 or 已? Read 已经 and 自己 to keep the words separate.
Check and learn
己 is the second character of 自己 zì jǐ, oneself. 已 starts 已经 yǐ jīng, already. 着 is neutral zhe in 看着 kàn zhe; 别 bié is used before a verb to say don't.
71. Travel and movement
Learn common activity words and compare three left-hand parts.
旅
Learn the shape and a useful word
方 on the left, with short upper strokes and longer turning lower strokes on the right. Compare the full right part with a printed model.
旅游 · lǚ yóu
travel for pleasure; tourism
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 旅
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.
铁
Learn the shape and a useful word
钅 on the left and 失 on the right. Compare the right part with 夫, noticing the added short upper stroke.
地铁 · dì tiě
metro; subway; underground railway
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 铁
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.
场
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 on the left and a hooked upper stroke with two sloping lower strokes on the right. Compare with 块, which has the same left part but a different right part.
机场 · jī chǎng
airport
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 场
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.
步
Learn the shape and a useful word
止 above a lower part with a central upright and sloping strokes. Compare the upper 止 with the lower part of 正.
跑步 · pǎo bù
run; go running
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 步
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.
动
Learn the shape and a useful word
云 on the left and 力 on the right. Compare the left part with the 云 inside 运.
运动 · yùn dòng
exercise; sport; move, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 动
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.
Try with the help closed: Read 地铁 and 机场. Which word names the subway? What left parts do 铁 and 场 have?
Check and learn
地铁 dì tiě names the subway; 机场 jī chǎng names an airport. 铁 has 钅 on the left, and 场 has 土. 跑步 pǎo bù means run; 运动 yùn dòng can mean exercise or sport.
72. Everyday actions and remembering
Distinguish remembered information from a word about washing or staying.
洗
Learn the shape and a useful 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
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
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.
留
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two different upper parts sit above 田. Notice the upper-right 刀 shape and compare the lower 田 with the upper part of 累.
留 · liú
stay; remain; keep, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 留
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 the shape and a useful word
亡 above 心. Compare with 忙, which has 忄 beside 亡.
忘 · wàng
forget
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
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 the shape and a useful 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
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
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.
思
Learn the shape and a useful word
田 above 心. Compare with 息, which has 自 above 心.
意思 · yì si
meaning; idea, in selected uses
思 is neutral si in 意思. Its citation reading is sī.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 思
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.
Try with the help closed: Which two characters both contain 亡 but have different lower parts, 忘 or 望? Read 洗手 and 希望.
Check and learn
忘 has 心 below 亡; 望 includes 月 in its upper part and 王 below. 洗手 xǐ shǒu means wash one's hands; 希望 xī wàng means hope. 意思 yì si means meaning or idea in its selected uses.
Choose your next character list
Use the level lists alongside lessons you understand. The lists keep recognition and handwriting requirements separate. A listed character is a study target, rather than evidence of mastery.
HSK 1 charactersHSK 2 charactersHSK 3 charactersHSK 4 charactersHSK 5 charactersHSK 6 characters
Stroke model credits
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. Renderer: MIT license.