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 18 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
103. Five shapes worth a second look
Small characters with big jobs — 者 and 而 glue the language; 耳, 羽 and 礼 name real things.
者
Learn the shape and a useful word
耂 over 日. The old-timer's mark — it turns a verb into the person who does it.
作者
Show word reading and meaning
zuò zhě
author
者 makes people: 作者 (author), 记者 (journalist), 读者 (reader) — the "-er" of Chinese.
Read a sentence
这篇文章的作者是一位医生。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè piān wén zhāng de zuò zhě shì yí wèi yī shēng.
The author of this article is a doctor.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 者
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.
而
Learn the shape and a useful word
One horizontal over a simple frame. The connector — and, moreover.
而且
Show word reading and meaning
ér qiě
moreover; and also
Read a sentence
这本书便宜，而且有很多例子。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè běn shū pián yi, ér qiě yǒu hěn duō lì zi.
This book is inexpensive and also has many examples.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 而
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.
耳
Learn the shape and a useful word
The ear drawn as a hanging shape with a tail — the ear itself.
耳朵
Show word reading and meaning
ěr duo
ear
Read a sentence
这顶帽子能盖住耳朵。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè dǐng mào zi néng gài zhù ěr duo.
This hat can cover the ears.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 耳
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.
羽
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two similar halves stand side by side, each with a turning outer stroke and two short inner strokes. Compare with the single-half outline of 习; 羽 is not made by simply writing two complete 习 characters.
羽毛
Show word reading and meaning
yǔ máo
feather
Read a sentence
那只鸟掉了一根羽毛。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Nà zhī niǎo diào le yì gēn yǔ máo.
That bird lost a feather.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 羽
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.
礼
Learn the shape and a useful word
礻plus 乚. The spirit altar's ceremony — a rite, a gift, politeness.
礼貌
Show word reading and meaning
lǐ mào
polite; manners
礻(spirit, one dot) and 衤(cloth, two dots) look identical at a glance — 礼 takes ONE dot.
Read a sentence
她对每一位客人都很有礼貌。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Tā duì měi yí wèi kè rén dōu hěn yǒu lǐ mào.
She is polite to every guest.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 礼
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 the person word 作者, and which appears in 羽毛, feather?
Check and learn
者 appears in 作者 zuò zhě, author, and in other person words such as 读者 dú zhě, reader. 羽 appears in 羽毛 yǔ máo, feather. 礼 has 礻 on the left; use its stroke model, retain the final dot and distinguish it from 衤 with an extra lower sloping stroke.
Try a new context
这位作者很有礼貌，而且愿意回答读者的问题。
What two positive points are linked? Does 而且 introduce a reason or an additional point? Use 读者 (dú zhě), reader.
Compare your interpretation
The author is polite and willing to answer readers' questions. 而且 adds another point rather than a reason. 作者 is author and 读者 reader; 者 helps form these person words but does not make every word ending in 者 an English -er word.
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.
104. Workhorses — special, thing, straight, same, province
Five characters that work in every conversation; learn the parts that hold them up.
特
Learn the shape and a useful word
牜plus 寺. The cow set apart at the temple — special.
特别
Show word reading and meaning
tè bié
special; especially
Read a sentence
我特别喜欢这本书的例子。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ tè bié xǐ huan zhè běn shū de lì zi.
I especially like the examples in this book.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 特
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.
物
Learn the shape and a useful word
牜plus 勿. Living things and plain things — the all-purpose "thing".
动物
Show word reading and meaning
dòng wù
animal
Read a sentence
这种动物白天睡觉，晚上出来找食物。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè zhǒng dòng wù bái tiān shuì jiào, wǎn shang chū lái zhǎo shí wù.
This kind of animal sleeps by day and comes out at night to find food.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 物
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.
直
Learn the shape and a useful word
十 over 目 over a turning line. The eye holds a straight line — straight, continuously.
一直
Show word reading and meaning
yì zhí
straight on; continuously; all along
Read a sentence
下课以后，他一直在图书馆看书。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Xià kè yǐ hòu, tā yì zhí zài tú shū guǎn kàn shū.
He has been reading in the library since class ended.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 直
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.
相
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 beside 目. Eye measuring the tree — mutual, same.
相同
Show word reading and meaning
xiāng tóng
same; identical
Read a sentence
这两个字的读音相同，意思不同。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè liǎng ge zì de dú yīn xiāng tóng, yì si bù tóng.
These two characters have the same pronunciation but different meanings.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 相
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.
省
Learn the shape and a useful word
少 over 目. The eye that watches a region — a province.
省
Show word reading and meaning
shěng
province
Read a sentence
这是哪个省的地图？
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè shì nǎ ge shěng de dì tú?
Which province is this a map of?
Learn the 9 strokes · write 省
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 special in 特别, and which means province?
Check and learn
特 means special in 特别, and 省 means province. Say tè bié and shěng, then write the temple inside 特 from memory.
Try a new context
这两张地图上的省名相同吗？我们一直在讨论这个问题。
What is being compared, and what has continued? Does 一直 necessarily describe a straight road?
Compare your interpretation
The province names on two maps are being compared, and the discussion has continued. Here 一直 concerns duration, not road direction; 相同 means same and 省 is shěng for province. The question does not tell us whether the names actually match.
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.
105. Getting around — wheels, streets and sudden moves
车 builds the vehicle words; 街 keeps 圭 between two halves of 行; 突 is the dog in the cave.
辆
Learn the shape and a useful word
车 plus 两. Two wheels counted — the measure word for vehicles.
一辆车
Show word reading and meaning
yí liàng chē
a car; one vehicle
Cars count in 辆, not 个: 一辆车, two cars 两辆车 — the 两 inside the character is a hint.
Read a sentence
门口停着一辆车，不是两辆。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Mén kǒu tíng zhe yí liàng chē, bú shì liǎng liàng.
There is one vehicle parked at the entrance, not two.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 辆
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.
较
Learn the shape and a useful word
车 plus 交. Two carts side by side — compare, fairly.
比较
Show word reading and meaning
bǐ jiào
to compare; rather; quite
比较 is both "compare" (比较两个) and "quite/rather" (比较好) — context chooses.
Read a sentence
这里比较安静，我们在这里学习吧。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè lǐ bǐ jiào ān jìng, wǒ men zài zhè lǐ xué xí ba.
It is relatively quiet here; let us study here.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 较
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.
轻
Learn the shape and a useful word
车 on the left; the right side has upper turning and sloping strokes above 工. Compare that right side with 经. It is not 圣, which has 又 above 土.
轻松
Show word reading and meaning
qīng sōng
relaxed; light; easy
Read a sentence
做完作业以后，我感觉轻松多了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zuò wán zuò yè yǐ hòu, wǒ gǎn jué qīng sōng duō le.
I feel much more relaxed after finishing my homework.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 轻
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.
街
Learn the shape and a useful word
圭 between the two halves of 行. The walk split by mounds of earth — a street.
街道
Show word reading and meaning
jiē dào
street
Read a sentence
这条街道上有两家书店。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè tiáo jiē dào shàng yǒu liǎng jiā shū diàn.
There are two bookshops on this street.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 街
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.
突
Learn the shape and a useful word
穴 over 犬. A dog bursting out of a cave — sudden.
突然
Show word reading and meaning
tū rán
suddenly
Read a sentence
我们正在吃饭，电灯突然灭了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Wǒ men zhèng zài chī fàn, diàn dēng tū rán miè le.
We were eating when the light suddenly went out.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 突
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 counts cars in 一辆车, and which means suddenly in 突然?
Check and learn
辆 counts cars in 一辆车, and 突 means suddenly in 突然. Say yí liàng chē and tū rán, then write the two 两-wheels inside 辆 from memory.
Try a new context
街道上只有一辆车，电灯突然灭了，大家都不轻松了。
How many vehicles are present, and what sudden change affected people's mood? Does 两 inside 辆 mean two vehicles?
Compare your interpretation
There is one vehicle; the light suddenly went out and people no longer felt relaxed. 一辆 gives the count. 两 is part of 辆's shape, not an extra quantity in this word; 轻松 describes the feeling and 突然 the sudden change.
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.
106. Whole words control meaning — familiar shapes in new combinations
Compare the visible shapes, then use the complete word to decide the meaning. A component is a recognition cue, not a reliable definition.
般
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice 舟 on the left and 殳 on the right. Use these as recognition cues; the whole word 一般 is not about a boat.
一般
Show word reading and meaning
yì bān
ordinary; general (in 一般)
一般 can describe something ordinary. 一般来说 means generally speaking. The shape cue is not a claim about the character’s historical origin.
Read a sentence
这家饭馆的菜很一般，不太好吃。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè jiā fàn guǎn de cài hěn yì bān, bú tài hǎo chī.
The food in this restaurant is ordinary, not particularly tasty.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 般
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.
且
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look for stacked horizontal strokes and the broad bottom stroke. Compare with the enclosed outline of 目; check the whole shape before reading.
而且
Show word reading and meaning
ér qiě
and; moreover
而且 adds another point: 这本书很短，而且很有意思。 — This book is short and also very interesting.
Read a sentence
这里离学校近，而且房租不贵。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè lǐ lí xué xiào jìn, ér qiě fáng zū bú guì.
This place is near the school, and the rent is not expensive.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 且
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.
其
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two separated lower strokes sit below a stack of horizontal strokes. Keep the bottom visible; it helps distinguish 其 from a closed box.
其实
Show word reading and meaning
qí shí
in fact; actually
其实 introduces a correction or a less obvious fact: 其实，我已经看过了。 — Actually, I have already seen it.
Read a sentence
他看起来很忙，其实在等朋友。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Tā kàn qǐ lái hěn máng, qí shí zài děng péng you.
He looks busy, but he is actually waiting for a friend.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 其
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.
共
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the horizontal structure above two separated lower strokes. Compare those lower strokes with 其, then check the different upper parts.
一共
Show word reading and meaning
yí gòng
altogether; in total
Use 一共 for a total: 一共多少钱？ — How much is it altogether? 一 is commonly pronounced yí before fourth-tone 共.
Read a sentence
这三本书一共三十元。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Zhè sān běn shū yí gòng sān shí yuán.
These three books cost thirty yuan altogether.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 共
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.
业
Learn the shape and a useful word
Several upright strokes sit on a broad horizontal base. Keep the base and compare the upper shape with 亚 rather than guessing from one stroke.
作业
Show word reading and meaning
zuò yè
homework; an assignment
作业 is usually uncountable in the English translation homework. 我在做作业。 — I am doing my homework.
Read a sentence
今天的作业要先读短文，再回答问题。
Show sentence reading and meaning
Jīn tiān de zuò yè yào xiān dú duǎn wén, zài huí dá wèn tí.
Today's homework requires reading a short passage before answering questions.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 业
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 word adds another point, which introduces what is actually true, and which gives a total?
Check and learn
而且 adds a point, 其实 introduces what is actually true, and 一共 gives a total. Cover the words, recall the three meanings, then write one new sentence using one of them.
Try a new context
作业看起来很一般，其实要写三页，而且要自己检查。一共要做两件事。
Which two tasks are required, and how does 其实 change the first impression? Use 三页 (sān yè), three pages.
Compare your interpretation
The tasks are to write three pages and check the work oneself. 一般 gives the ordinary first impression; 其实 corrects it by adding what the homework actually requires. 而且 adds checking, and 一共 totals the two tasks. It does not say the writing is already finished.
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.
107. Short, thin, old and long-lasting
Use the whole word to decide whether a description concerns height, length, condition or time.
矮
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice 矢 on the left and 委 on the right. The lower 女 sits inside the right part, not under the whole character.
矮
Show word reading and meaning
ǎi
short in height; low
Contrast 矮 for low height with 短 for short length. Neither means every kind of English short.
Read a sentence
这张桌子有点儿矮。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhāng zhuō zi yǒu diǎnr ǎi。
This table is a little low.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 矮
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.
短
Learn the shape and a useful word
Compare the shared left-hand 矢 with 矮. The right-hand part here is 豆, including its lower horizontal strokes.
短
Show word reading and meaning
duǎn
short in length or duration
A short pair of trousers is 短; a low table is 矮.
Read a sentence
这条裤子有点儿短。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè tiáo kù zi yǒu diǎnr duǎn。
These trousers are a little short.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 短
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.
瘦
Learn the shape and a useful word
Keep the enclosing 疒 and the complete inner part. Look for 又 at the bottom rather than reducing the inside to a few lines.
瘦
Show word reading and meaning
shòu
thin; slim
Use this word to describe being thin; a shape cue does not establish a medical judgement.
Read a sentence
这只小猫很瘦。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhī xiǎo māo hěn shòu。
This kitten is very thin.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 瘦
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.
旧
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrow vertical stroke stands to the left of 日. Do not omit it and leave 日 alone.
旧
Show word reading and meaning
jiù
old; previously used, rather than someone's age
旧 describes something old or used. 老 is used for age in other contexts.
Read a sentence
这本书有点儿旧了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè běn shū yǒu diǎnr jiù le。
This book is a little worn.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 旧
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.
久
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the sloping upper stroke and the long stroke spreading to the lower right. Compare the whole outline with 人.
久
Show word reading and meaning
jiǔ
a long time; length of time
In 不久, the whole expression means not long or before long; do not translate 久 alone and omit 不.
Read a sentence
你在这里住了多久？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ zài zhè lǐ zhù le duō jiǔ？
How long have you lived here?
Learn the 3 strokes · write 久
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: Choose the words for a low table, short trousers, a thin kitten, a worn book and meeting again before long. Explain the difference between 矮 and 短.
Check and learn
矮 describes the low table; 短 the trousers; 瘦 the kitten; 旧 the worn book. 不久 means before long. Height and length require different words here.
Try a new context
这张桌子很旧，但是不矮。
Is the table low, worn, both or neither? What does 不 change?
Compare your interpretation
It is worn, but it is not low. 不 negates 矮; it does not negate 旧.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, close the help and recall each of these five words. Then write the target characters from memory if handwriting is your goal. Compare the whole shapes, readings and meanings separately; reopen any model you need.
108. Seasons and moving air
Separate similar top-and-bottom shapes, then read the season words as units.
春
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice 日 at the bottom under the crossing upper strokes. Contrast the bottom with 子 in 季.
春天
Show word reading and meaning
chūntiān
spring
春天 is spring; 天 is part of the whole season word.
Read a sentence
春天这里有很多花。
Show sentence reading and meaning
chūn tiān zhè lǐ yǒu hěn duō huā。
There are lots of flowers here in spring.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 春
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.
夏
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the framed upper section and the spreading strokes below it. Unlike 春, it does not end in a 日 box.
夏天
Show word reading and meaning
xiàtiān
summer
夏天 is summer. Use the printed model to compare the full shape, not only its outline.
Read a sentence
夏天我喜欢吃西瓜。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xià tiān wǒ xǐ huan chī xī guā。
I like eating watermelon in summer.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 夏
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.
秋
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 is on the left and 火 on the right. Keep the two side-by-side parts distinct from the stacked parts of 季.
秋天
Show word reading and meaning
qiūtiān
autumn; fall
秋天 means autumn or fall; both English names refer to this season.
Read a sentence
我最喜欢秋天的天气。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ zuì xǐ huan qiū tiān de tiān qì。
I like autumn weather best.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 秋
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.
季
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 sits above 子. It is not the side-by-side 禾 and 火 arrangement in 秋.
季节
Show word reading and meaning
jìjié
season
季节 means season. 四季 refers to the four seasons.
Read a sentence
你最喜欢哪个季节？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ zuì xǐ huan nǎ ge jì jié？
Which season do you like best?
Learn the 8 strokes · write 季
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.
风
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the outer frame and the crossing strokes inside it. An empty frame would lose an important part of the character.
风
Show word reading and meaning
fēng
wind
The weather expression 风很大 means the wind is strong, rather than physically large.
Read a sentence
今天的风很大。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān de fēng hěn dà。
It is very windy today.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 风
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: Name the seasons in 春天、夏天、秋天. Which character has 禾 above 子, and which word names the wind?
Check and learn
春天 is spring, 夏天 summer and 秋天 autumn. 季 has 禾 above 子; 季节 means season. 风 names wind.
Try a new context
秋天这里的风很大。
Which season is mentioned, and what is the weather like?
Compare your interpretation
It is autumn, and the wind is strong. The sentence does not say every autumn day has the same weather.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, close the help and recall each of these five words. Then write the target characters from memory if handwriting is your goal. Compare the whole shapes, readings and meanings separately; reopen any model you need.
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.