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 17 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
97. Water 2 氵 — soda, sofas and being clear
Three more drops of 氵— drinks, a loanword, and the water-clear head.
汽
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 气. Water turned to vapour — steam, and the bubbles in soda.
汽水
Show word reading and meaning
qì shuǐ
soda; fizzy drink
Read a sentence
我不喝汽水，给我一杯水就好。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ bù hē qì shuǐ, gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ jiù hǎo.
I do not drink fizzy drinks; a glass of water will do.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 汽
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.
沙
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 少. A little water and a lot of grit — sand; the sofa borrows its sound.
沙发
Show word reading and meaning
shā fā
sofa
沙发 is the loanword "sofa"; the same character means sand in 沙子.
Read a sentence
沙发上放着两个包。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Shā fā shàng fàng zhe liǎng ge bāo.
There are two bags on the sofa.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 沙
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.
清
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 青. Water so still it turns blue-green — clear.
清楚
Show word reading and meaning
qīng chu
clear; clearly
Read a sentence
请写清楚一点，我看不清你的名字。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Qǐng xiě qīng chu yì diǎn, wǒ kàn bu qīng nǐ de míng zi.
Please write more clearly; I cannot make out your name.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 清
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.
演
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 寅. Flowing out in public — to perform.
表演
Show word reading and meaning
biǎo yǎn
to perform; a performance
Read a sentence
孩子们在为明天的表演做准备。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Hái zi men zài wèi míng tiān de biǎo yǎn zuò zhǔn bèi.
The children are preparing for tomorrow's performance.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 演
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.
澡
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 喿. Water and noise — the wash itself.
洗澡
Show word reading and meaning
xǐ zǎo
to bathe; to take a shower
Read a sentence
运动以后，我想先洗澡再吃饭。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Yùn dòng yǐ hòu, wǒ xiǎng xiān xǐ zǎo zài chī fàn.
After exercising, I want to shower before eating.
Learn the 16 strokes · write 澡
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 沙发, sofa, and which appears in 洗澡, bathe?
Check and learn
沙 appears in 沙发 shā fā, sofa; it does not mean sofa by itself. 澡 appears in 洗澡 xǐ zǎo, bathe. Both have 氵 on the left, but their right sides are 少 and 喿. Use the whole words to recall the selected meanings.
Try a new context
沙发上有汽水，我看清楚以后才坐下。
What is on the sofa, and why does looking carefully matter? Does 沙 by itself mean sofa?
Compare your interpretation
There is a fizzy drink on the sofa; I sit only after looking carefully. 沙发 is the complete sofa word and 汽水 the drink. 沙 alone does not mean sofa. 清楚 describes clear seeing 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.
98. States of things — quiet, healthy, should, always, usual
Five everyday state words; the 争-pair 静/净 wants the sharpest eye.
静
Learn the shape and a useful word
青 plus 争. Blue-green and still, even with 争 inside — quiet.
安静
Show word reading and meaning
ān jìng
quiet
Read a sentence
大家都在看书，请安静一点。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Dà jiā dōu zài kàn shū, qǐng ān jìng yì diǎn.
Everyone is reading; please be a little quieter.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 静
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.
康
Learn the shape and a useful word
广 over 隶. Under the wide roof, everything in order — healthy.
健康
Show word reading and meaning
jiàn kāng
healthy; health
Read a sentence
为了健康，我每天走路上班。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wèi le jiàn kāng, wǒ měi tiān zǒu lù shàng bān.
For my health, I walk to work every day.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 康
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.
应
Learn the shape and a useful word
广 over a small heap of strokes. The proper response under the roof — should.
应该
Show word reading and meaning
yīng gāi
should; ought to
Read a sentence
借了别人的东西，应该按时还。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Jiè le bié ren de dōng xi, yīng gāi àn shí huán.
When you borrow something, you should return it on time.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 应
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.
总
Learn the shape and a useful word
丷 over 口 over 心. Every mouth and every heart counted — always, in total.
总是
Show word reading and meaning
zǒng shì
always
Read a sentence
他总是在出门前检查有没有带钥匙。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Tā zǒng shì zài chū mén qián jiǎn chá yǒu méi yǒu dài yào shi.
He always checks that he has his keys before going out.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 总
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.
平
Learn the shape and a useful word
A balanced scale of strokes — level, ordinary.
平时
Show word reading and meaning
píng shí
usually; in ordinary times
Read a sentence
我平时在家做饭，周末偶尔去饭馆。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ píng shí zài jiā zuò fàn, zhōu mò ǒu ěr qù fàn guǎn.
I usually cook at home and sometimes go to restaurants at weekends.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 平
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 quiet in 安静, and which means always in 总是?
Check and learn
静 means quiet in 安静, and 总 means always in 总是. Say ān jìng and zǒng shì, then write the 争 inside 静 without looking.
Try a new context
平时这里很安静，但是今天有表演。我们应该小声说话。
What is usual, what is different today, and what behaviour is recommended? Does 平时 mean without exceptions?
Compare your interpretation
The place is usually quiet, but there is a performance today. We should speak quietly. 平时 describes ordinary circumstances with exceptions; 应该 gives a recommendation, not a statement that everyone already follows it.
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.
99. Compare 攵 with 夂 — reassurance, stories and tasks
攵(the tapping hand) drives the action words; 务 is its close cousin 夂 over 力.
放
Learn the shape and a useful word
方 plus 攵. The hand lets it go — to put, to release, to set free.
放心
Show word reading and meaning
fàng xīn
to rest assured; to stop worrying
放心 is literally "set the heart down" — stop worrying, not "release a heart".
Read a sentence
你放心，我会把这件事做好。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Nǐ fàng xīn, wǒ huì bǎ zhè jiàn shì zuò hǎo.
Rest assured; I will do this properly.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 放
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.
故
Learn the shape and a useful word
古 plus 攵. Something struck long ago — old, reason, and the story.
故事
Show word reading and meaning
gù shi
story
Read a sentence
这个故事的结尾让我很意外。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge gù shi de jié wěi ràng wǒ hěn yì wài.
The ending of this story surprised me.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 故
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.
收
Learn the shape and a useful word
丩 plus 攵. The hand gathers in — to receive, to collect.
收到
Show word reading and meaning
shōu dào
to receive
Read a sentence
我昨天收到了你寄来的照片。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ zuó tiān shōu dào le nǐ jì lái de zhào piàn.
I received the photos you sent yesterday.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 收
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.
数
Learn the shape and a useful word
娄 plus 攵. Counting rice-by-hand — numbers, and the subject itself.
数学
Show word reading and meaning
shù xué
mathematics
数 is shù (number, maths) but shǔ (to count) in 数一数 — same character, two readings.
Read a sentence
今天的数学作业只有三道题。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Jīn tiān de shù xué zuò yè zhǐ yǒu sān dào tí.
Today's maths homework has only three questions.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 数
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.
务
Learn the shape and a useful word
夂 above 力. Compare the lower 力 with the left part of 助. 务 does not contain the right-hand 攵 seen in 故 and 放; learn the whole word 任务.
任务
Show word reading and meaning
rèn wu
task; assignment
Read a sentence
我们的任务是把这些书分好。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ men de rèn wu shì bǎ zhè xiē shū fēn hǎo.
Our task is to sort these books.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 务
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 故事, story, and how does its right side differ from the top of 务 in 任务?
Check and learn
故 appears in 故事 gù shi and has 攵 on the right. 务 appears in 任务 rèn wu and has 夂 above 力, not 攵. Compare the separate stroke models; do not add 攵 to 务.
Try a new context
收到任务以后，他先看故事，再做数学题。
What came first and what is the order of the work? Is 务 written with 攵 on its right?
Compare your interpretation
He received the assignment first, then read the story, then did maths questions. 任务 names the task; 故事 the story and 数学 the subject. 务 has 夂 above 力, not 攵 on its right.
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.
100. Ice 冫 — frozen things, clean things, decided things
Two dots of ice 冫, top or bottom; 冬 keeps its ice underneath.
冰
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫beside 水. Water hardened — ice.
冰
Show word reading and meaning
bīng
ice
Read a sentence
杯子里不要放冰，我想喝温水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Bēi zi lǐ bú yào fàng bīng, wǒ xiǎng hē wēn shuǐ.
Do not put ice in the glass; I want warm water.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 冰
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.
净
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫plus 争. Washed cold — clean.
干净
Show word reading and meaning
gān jìng
clean
Read a sentence
这张桌子已经擦干净了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè zhāng zhuō zi yǐ jīng cā gān jìng le.
This table has already been wiped clean.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 净
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.
凌
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫 on the left and 夌 on the right. Compare the left side with 冰. 凌晨 names the early hours around or before dawn; its meaning comes from the whole word.
凌晨
Show word reading and meaning
líng chén
early dawn; before sunrise
Read a sentence
我们凌晨四点就出门去机场了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ men líng chén sì diǎn jiù chū mén qù jī chǎng le.
We left for the airport at four in the early morning.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 凌
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.
决
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫plus 夬. Water breaking through — decided.
决定
Show word reading and meaning
jué dìng
to decide; decision
Read a sentence
我们还没决定周末去哪儿。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ men hái méi jué dìng zhōu mò qù nǎr.
We have not decided where to go this weekend yet.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 决
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.
冬
Learn the shape and a useful word
夂 over two dots of ice. The season that walks on ice — winter.
冬天
Show word reading and meaning
dōng tiān
winter
Read a sentence
这里冬天很冷，要穿厚衣服。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè lǐ dōng tiān hěn lěng, yào chuān hòu yī fu.
Winters are cold here; you need thick clothing.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 冬
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 冫character means clean in 干净, and which keeps its ice underneath (winter)?
Check and learn
净 means clean in 干净, and 冬 keeps its ice underneath in 冬天. Say gān jìng and dōng tiān, then write the two ice dots in the right place on each.
Try a new context
冬天的凌晨很冷，我们决定在屋里等。
Which season and time are described, and what was decided? Does 凌晨 always mean a fixed clock time?
Compare your interpretation
It is very cold in the early hours of a winter morning, so we decided to wait indoors. 冬天 is winter and 凌晨 the early hours around or before dawn, not one fixed hour. 决定 expresses the decision.
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.
101. Wood 2 木 — looking things up, roots and the forest
More 木 words: the dictionary tree, the root, the extreme, the outline, and 楚's double forest.
查
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 over 日 over 一. Looking into the wood day by day — to look up, to check.
查字典
Show word reading and meaning
chá zì diǎn
to look (a word) up in the dictionary
检 and 查 share 检查 (inspect); alone, 查字典 is the learner's daily habit.
Read a sentence
遇到不认识的词，我会查字典。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Yù dào bù rèn shi de cí, wǒ huì chá zì diǎn.
When I meet an unfamiliar word, I look it up in a dictionary.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 查
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.
根
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 plus 艮. The tree's hidden half — the root, and "fundamental".
根本
Show word reading and meaning
gēn běn
fundamental; (not) at all
根本 alone is "fundamental"; with a negative it is "(not) at all" — 我根本不知道.
Read a sentence
我根本不知道你在这里。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ gēn běn bù zhī dào nǐ zài zhè lǐ.
I had no idea at all that you were here.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 根
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.
极
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 plus 及. As far as the wood reaches — the extreme, the pole.
极其
Show word reading and meaning
jí qí
extremely
Read a sentence
这个地方极其安静，连车声都听不到。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge dì fang jí qí ān jìng, lián chē shēng dōu tīng bu dào.
This place is extremely quiet; you cannot even hear traffic.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 极
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.
概
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 plus 既. The broad wooden outline — general, approximate.
大概
Show word reading and meaning
dà gài
probably; roughly
Read a sentence
从这里走到学校大概要二十分钟。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Cóng zhè lǐ zǒu dào xué xiào dà gài yào èr shí fēn zhōng.
It takes roughly twenty minutes to walk from here to school.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 概
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.
楚
Learn the shape and a useful word
林 over 疋. Two trees in neat order — tidy and clear, inside 清楚.
清楚
Show word reading and meaning
qīng chu
clear; clearly
清 (water-clear) and 楚 (forest-tidy) share one word; learn 清楚 as a pair.
Read a sentence
我没有听清楚，请再说一遍。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ méi yǒu tīng qīng chu, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.
I did not hear clearly; please say it again.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 楚
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.
Try with the help closed: Which 木character means probably in 大概, and which pairs with 清 in 清楚?
Check and learn
概 means probably in 大概, and 楚 pairs with 清 in 清楚. Say dà gài and qīng chu, then write the double forest of 楚 from memory.
Try a new context
我大概知道意思，但还不清楚，所以决定查字典。
Am I completely certain of the meaning? What action will help, and what does 大概 add?
Compare your interpretation
I have a rough idea of the meaning but am not clear, so I decide to consult the dictionary. 大概 qualifies certainty here; 查字典 is the action for checking. 清楚 describes the understanding that is still lacking.
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.
102. The tongue 舌 and the boat 舟 — comparing five shapes
舌builds the taste-and-talk words; 舟 builds the boats — 般 borrows it for "sort".
甜
Learn the shape and a useful word
舌 plus 甘. Sweet on the tongue — sweet.
甜
Show word reading and meaning
tián
sweet
Read a sentence
这个苹果不太甜，有点酸。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè ge píng guǒ bú tài tián, yǒu diǎn suān.
This apple is not very sweet; it is a little sour.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 甜
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.
刮
Learn the shape and a useful word
舌 plus 刂. The tongue-shaped blade — to scrape; the wind that scrapes past.
刮风
Show word reading and meaning
guā fēng
(wind) to blow
刮风 names the weather: 今天刮风 — "it's windy today".
Read a sentence
外面刮风了，请把窗户关上。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wài miàn guā fēng le, qǐng bǎ chuāng hu guān shàng.
The wind has started blowing outside; please close the window.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 刮
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.
适
Learn the shape and a useful word
舌 with 辶. Words that walk well with others — suitable, inside 合适.
合适
Show word reading and meaning
hé shì
suitable; appropriate
Read a sentence
这双鞋大小合适，就是有点贵。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè shuāng xié dà xiǎo hé shì, jiù shì yǒu diǎn guì.
These shoes fit, but they are a little expensive.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 适
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.
活
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵plus 舌. Water on the tongue keeps it moving — alive, life.
生活
Show word reading and meaning
shēng huó
life; to live
Read a sentence
我在这里生活了三年。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ zài zhè lǐ shēng huó le sān nián.
I have lived here for three years.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 活
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.
船
Learn the shape and a useful word
舟 plus 㕣. The boat whole — a ship, a boat.
小船
Show word reading and meaning
xiǎo chuán
small boat
Read a sentence
河边有一条小船。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Hé biān yǒu yì tiáo xiǎo chuán.
There is a small boat beside the river.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 船
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 sweet in 甜, and which character has 舟 on the left in 小船?
Check and learn
甜 means sweet, and 船 has 舟 on the left in 小船. Say tián and xiǎo chuán, then cover the cards and recall the 舌 on the right of 活.
Try a new context
外面刮风，小船还在河边。我们觉得现在出去不合适。
Where is the boat, and are we recommending going out now? Distinguish suitable from sweet.
Compare your interpretation
The boat remains beside the river, and we judge going out now unsuitable because it is windy. 不合适 is not suitable; it is not a comment on 甜, sweet. 小船 is a small boat.
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.