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.
Pinyin may show the usual tone of 一 or 不. Their spoken tones can change in a sentence. The foundation lesson on tone changes explains how to say these changes.
This sequence is arranged for learning, not by syllabus level. It teaches 1940 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 16 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
91. Body 月 — face, feet, legs and build
月on the left is flesh (not the moon): it builds the body words.
脸
Learn the shape and a useful word
月plus 佥. The front of the flesh — the face.
洗脸
Show word reading and meaning
xǐ liǎn
to wash one's face
Read a sentence
我每天起床以后先洗脸。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ měi tiān qǐ chuáng yǐ hòu xiān xǐ liǎn.
I wash my face first after getting up each day.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 脸
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.
脚
Learn the shape and a useful word
月plus 却. Flesh that steps back onto the ground — the foot.
脚
Show word reading and meaning
jiǎo
foot
Read a sentence
这双鞋太小，我的脚放不进去。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè shuāng xié tài xiǎo, wǒ de jiǎo fàng bu jìn qù.
These shoes are too small; I cannot get my feet into them.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 脚
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.
腿
Learn the shape and a useful word
月plus 退. Flesh that moves you back and forth — the leg.
腿
Show word reading and meaning
tuǐ
leg
Read a sentence
坐了太久，我想站起来活动一下腿。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zuò le tài jiǔ, wǒ xiǎng zhàn qǐ lái huó dòng yí xià tuǐ.
I have been sitting too long; I want to stand up and move my legs a little.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 腿
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.
胖
Learn the shape and a useful word
月plus 半. Flesh at half again the size — fat, plump.
胖
Show word reading and meaning
pàng
fat; plump
Read a sentence
这只猫又胖又可爱。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè zhī māo yòu pàng yòu kě ài.
This cat is plump and cute.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 胖
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.
脏
Learn the shape and a useful word
月plus 庄. Flesh gone unclean — dirty. Another reading, zàng, names the inner organs.
脏
Show word reading and meaning
zāng
dirty
脏 is zāng (dirty) here, but zàng in 心脏, the heart — same character, two readings.
Read a sentence
桌子脏了，我们擦一下吧。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhuō zi zāng le, wǒ men cā yí xià ba.
The table is dirty; let us wipe it.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 脏
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 月character means leg, and which means dirty?
Check and learn
腿 means leg, and 脏 means dirty. Say tuǐ and zāng, then write each flesh radical on the left from memory.
Try a new context
我洗脸以后发现脚很脏，但腿不疼。
What was dirty, and what did not hurt? Keep face, feet and legs separate.
Compare your interpretation
The feet were dirty; the legs did not hurt. 洗脸 is washing the face, not the action of cleaning the feet. 脚 and 腿 identify different body parts; 脏 is zāng for dirty here.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
92. The right hand 又 — discovery, pairs and play
又was once a right hand; it still handles discovery, acceptance, pairs, play and hard times.
发
Learn the shape and a useful word
A hand letting something fly — to send out, and to discover.
发现
Show word reading and meaning
fā xiàn
to discover; to find
Read a sentence
我发现书里的日期写错了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ fā xiàn shū lǐ de rì qī xiě cuò le.
I discovered that the date in the book was written incorrectly.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 发
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.
受
Learn the shape and a useful word
爫and 冖 over 又. A hand passing something down to another hand — to receive, to accept.
接受
Show word reading and meaning
jiē shòu
to accept; to receive
接 (meet with 扌) and 受 (receive with 又) share one word: 接受.
Read a sentence
谢谢你的邀请，我很高兴接受。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Xiè xie nǐ de yāo qǐng, wǒ hěn gāo xìng jiē shòu.
Thank you for your invitation; I am happy to accept.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 受
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.
双
Learn the shape and a useful word
又twice — two hands, a pair.
一双
Show word reading and meaning
yì shuāng
a pair of
Read a sentence
门口有一双黑色的鞋。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Mén kǒu yǒu yì shuāng hēi sè de xié.
There is a pair of black shoes at the entrance.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 双
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.
戏
Learn the shape and a useful word
又plus 戈. Weapons in play — a play, a game.
游戏
Show word reading and meaning
yóu xì
game
Read a sentence
这个游戏需要两个人一起玩。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge yóu xì xū yào liǎng ge rén yì qǐ wán.
This game needs two people to play together.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 戏
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.
难
Learn the shape and a useful word
又plus 隹. A bird in the hand that will not stay — difficult; also sad.
难过
Show word reading and meaning
nán guò
sad; hard to bear
难 is nán (difficult, sad) but nàn in 灾难, disaster — same character, two readings.
Read a sentence
朋友要走了，我有点难过。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Péng you yào zǒu le, wǒ yǒu diǎn nán guò.
My friend is leaving, and I feel a little sad.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 难
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 character means discover in 发现, and which means pair in 一双?
Check and learn
发 means discover in 发现, and 双 means pair in 一双. Say fā xiàn and yì shuāng, then write the doubled 又of 双 from memory.
Try a new context
我发现少了一双鞋，心里很难过。朋友说可以一起找。
What is missing, and how do I feel? Does 一双 count a single shoe?
Compare your interpretation
A pair of shoes is missing, and I feel sad. 一双 counts a pair, not one shoe. 发现 marks the discovery and 难过 the feeling; the friend's offer to search does not establish that the shoes were found.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
93. Mouths at work 口 — crying, sipping, us and together
口is the mouth — two mouths wail, one sips, and 合 brings mouths together.
哭
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two 口mouths over 犬. Wailing mouths — to cry.
哭
Show word reading and meaning
kū
to cry; to weep
Read a sentence
孩子找不到妈妈，急得哭了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Hái zi zhǎo bu dào mā ma, jí de kū le.
The child could not find Mum and cried in distress.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 哭
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.
嘴
Learn the shape and a useful word
口plus 觜. The mouth itself, inside the everyday word.
嘴巴
Show word reading and meaning
zuǐ ba
mouth
Read a sentence
说话以前，请先把嘴巴里的东西吃完。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Shuō huà yǐ qián, qǐng xiān bǎ zuǐ ba lǐ de dōng xi chī wán.
Please finish the food in your mouth before speaking.
Learn the 16 strokes · write 嘴
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.
啤
Learn the shape and a useful word
口plus 卑. A sound borrowed for a foreign drink — beer.
啤酒
Show word reading and meaning
pí jiǔ
beer
啤 exists only to spell the sound of "beer"; it has no meaning of its own.
Read a sentence
他点了一瓶啤酒和一杯水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Tā diǎn le yì píng pí jiǔ hé yì bēi shuǐ.
He ordered a bottle of beer and a glass of water.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 啤
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.
咱
Learn the shape and a useful word
口plus 自. My mouth speaking for itself and for you — we (including the listener).
咱们
Show word reading and meaning
zán men
we; us (including the listener)
咱们 includes the person you are talking to; 我们 may not. A small word with a real difference.
Read a sentence
咱们先把桌子搬到窗边吧。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zán men xiān bǎ zhuō zi bān dào chuāng biān ba.
Let us move the table by the window first.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 咱
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.
合
Learn the shape and a useful word
人 over 一 over 口. Mouths meeting under one roof — to join, to suit, together.
合作
Show word reading and meaning
hé zuò
to cooperate; to work together
Read a sentence
这次作业需要两个人合作完成。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè cì zuò yè xū yào liǎng ge rén hé zuò wán chéng.
This assignment requires two people to work together to complete it.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 合
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 character means we (including the listener), and which means cooperate in 合作?
Check and learn
咱 means we in 咱们, and 合 means cooperate in 合作. Say zán men and hé zuò, then write the two mouths of 哭 from memory.
Try a new context
咱们合作完成这个游戏，别因为输了就哭。
Who is included in 咱们, and what attitude is being encouraged? Use 输 (shū), lose a game.
Compare your interpretation
咱们 includes the speaker and listener. We are encouraged to work together and not cry just because we lose. 合作 is cooperation; 哭 is crying. The sentence does not promise that cooperation guarantees winning.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
94. Bamboo 竹 — chopsticks, counting, answers, boxes and the simple life
竹on top once meant bamboo slips for writing; it still tops the words of tools and thought.
筷
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹plus 快. Bamboo that is quick at the table — chopsticks.
筷子
Show word reading and meaning
kuài zi
chopsticks
Read a sentence
桌上少了一双筷子。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhuō shàng shǎo le yì shuāng kuài zi.
The table is missing a pair of chopsticks.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 筷
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.
算
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹over 目 and 廾. Counting on bamboo slips with eyes and hands — to count, to calculate.
算了
Show word reading and meaning
suàn le
forget it; never mind
算 alone is "count" (算数); 算了 is the spoken shrug "forget it" — same character, different job.
Read a sentence
时间不够了，算了，我们明天再试。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Shí jiān bú gòu le, suàn le, wǒ men míng tiān zài shì.
There is not enough time; never mind, let us try again tomorrow.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 算
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.
答
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹plus 合. The slip that joins the question — to answer.
回答
Show word reading and meaning
huí dá
to answer; to reply
Read a sentence
请用完整的句子回答这个问题。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Qǐng yòng wán zhěng de jù zi huí dá zhè ge wèn tí.
Please answer this question in a complete sentence.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 答
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.
箱
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹plus 相. A woven bamboo container — a box, a suitcase.
箱子
Show word reading and meaning
xiāng zi
box; suitcase
Read a sentence
箱子太重，我一个人搬不动。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Xiāng zi tài zhòng, wǒ yí ge rén bān bu dòng.
The box is too heavy for me to move alone.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 箱
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.
简
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹plus 间. Fewer bamboo slips, not more — simple.
简单
Show word reading and meaning
jiǎn dān
simple
Read a sentence
这道题看起来简单，其实要仔细想。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè dào tí kàn qǐ lái jiǎn dān, qí shí yào zǐ xì xiǎng.
This question looks simple, but it actually needs careful thought.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 简
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 竹character means answer in 回答, and which means simple in 简单?
Check and learn
答 means answer in 回答, and 简 means simple in 简单. Say huí dá and jiǎn dān, then write the bamboo tops from memory.
Try a new context
这个箱子太重。算了，先回答老师的问题，等会儿再搬。
Which task is postponed and which should happen first? Does 算了 cancel answering the teacher?
Compare your interpretation
Moving the heavy box is postponed; answering the teacher comes first. 算了 gives up the immediate moving attempt in this context. 回答 is answering; the box has not been moved yet.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
95. Ears and stones — 耳 for listening, 石 for the hard stuff
耳builds the listening words; 石builds numbers, mines and bowls.
聪
Learn the shape and a useful word
耳plus 总. The ear that gathers everything — clever.
聪明
Show word reading and meaning
cōng ming
clever; smart
Read a sentence
这个聪明的孩子发现了题目里的错误。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge cōng ming de hái zi fā xiàn le tí mù lǐ de cuò wù.
This clever child spotted the error in the question.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 聪
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.
聊
Learn the shape and a useful word
耳plus 卯. Ears passing time together — to chat.
聊天
Show word reading and meaning
liáo tiān
to chat
Read a sentence
我们一边喝茶，一边聊天。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ men yì biān hē chá, yì biān liáo tiān.
We chat while drinking tea.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 聊
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.
闻
Learn the shape and a useful word
耳 inside 门. The ear at the gate — to hear; famous is "heard of" everywhere.
闻名
Show word reading and meaning
wén míng
famous; renowned
闻 is "hear" (新闻, news) and "smell" (闻一闻) — the gate's ear and nose in one shape.
Read a sentence
这家饭馆因为面条好吃而闻名。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè jiā fàn guǎn yīn wèi miàn tiáo hǎo chī ér wén míng.
This restaurant is famous for its delicious noodles.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 闻
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.
码
Learn the shape and a useful word
石plus 马. Stone tallies stamped with marks — a number, a code.
号码
Show word reading and meaning
hào mǎ
number (phone, house)
Read a sentence
请核对一下电话号码，不要打错。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Qǐng hé duì yí xià diàn huà hào mǎ, bú yào dǎ cuò.
Please check the phone number so that you do not call the wrong one.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 码
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.
碗
Learn the shape and a useful word
石plus 宛. The hard-fired vessel — a bowl.
碗
Show word reading and meaning
wǎn
bowl
Read a sentence
这个碗太小，放不下这么多饭。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge wǎn tài xiǎo, fàng bu xià zhè me duō fàn.
This bowl is too small to hold so much rice.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 碗
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 耳character means chat in 聊天, and which 石character means number in 号码?
Check and learn
聊 means chat in 聊天, and 码 means number in 号码. Say liáo tiān and hào mǎ, then write the gate around 闻's ear from memory.
Try a new context
这家店因面条闻名，我们一边吃面一边聊天。
What makes the shop famous, and what are we doing during the meal? Does 闻名 mean smelling the food?
Compare your interpretation
The shop is famous for its noodles; we chat while eating them. 闻名 means renowned here, not smelling something. 聊天 is chat, distinct from the food or the shop's reputation.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
96. Plants 艹 — grass, bananas, blue and festivals
艹(the grass top) marks the plant world; 朵 hides a tree (木) under its petals.
草
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹over 早. Grass, early and everywhere — the lawn itself.
草地
Show word reading and meaning
cǎo dì
lawn; grassland
Read a sentence
雨后的草地还是湿的。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Yǔ hòu de cǎo dì hái shi shī de.
The grass is still wet after the rain.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 草
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.
蕉
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 above 焦, whose lower part contains 灬. Compare the complete outline with 蓝; read 香蕉 as a whole word rather than guessing from a component.
香蕉
Show word reading and meaning
xiāng jiāo
banana
香 and 蕉 share one word; learn 香蕉 as a pair, like 阿姨.
Read a sentence
桌上的香蕉已经熟了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhuō shàng de xiāng jiāo yǐ jīng shú le.
The bananas on the table are ripe already.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 蕉
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.
蓝
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹over 监. The indigo plant — the colour blue takes its name from it.
蓝色
Show word reading and meaning
lán sè
blue
Read a sentence
我用蓝色的笔写名字。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ yòng lán sè de bǐ xiě míng zi.
I write my name with a blue pen.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 蓝
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.
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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.
节
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹over 卩. A bamboo joint — the "joints" of the year become festivals and programmes.
节目
Show word reading and meaning
jié mù
programme; show
节 is the joint/measure character: 节日 (festival), 节目 (programme), 节约 (save) — one shape, several joints.
Read a sentence
今天的节目有唱歌，也有跳舞。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Jīn tiān de jié mù yǒu chàng gē, yě yǒu tiào wǔ.
Today's show includes singing and dancing.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 节
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.
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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.
朵
Learn the shape and a useful word
几 above 木, without 艹. In 一朵花, 朵 counts a flower; it is not the noun 花 itself. Compare the top with the grass top of 蓝.
一朵花
Show word reading and meaning
yì duǒ huā
a flower
朵 is the measure word for flowers and clouds: 一朵花, 一朵云.
Read a sentence
她在信旁边放了一朵花。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Tā zài xìn páng biān fàng le yì duǒ huā.
She put a flower beside the letter.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 朵
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 character appears in 蓝色, blue, and which counts flowers in 一朵花?
Check and learn
蓝 appears in 蓝色 lán sè and has 艹 above 监. 朵 counts flowers in 一朵花 yì duǒ huā and has 几 above 木, with no 艹. Copy the different upper shapes, then cover the models and compare.
Try a new context
节目开始以前，她把一朵花放在蓝色的桌子上。
Which thing was placed where, and when? Does 朵 take a grass top?
Compare your interpretation
She put a flower on the blue table before the show started. 一朵花 is one flower; 朵 has 几 over 木, without 艹. 蓝 has 艹 and supplies the colour word 蓝色.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with yesterday's group. With all help closed, say the selected word and meaning, distinguish one easily confused shape, and explain the new context. Reopen the model only after trying; revisit what you could not recall.
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.