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 19 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
109. Finding a direction
Keep written directions separate from the boundaries of a neighbourhood.
北
Learn the shape and a useful word
Compare the two sides: the left and right do not have the same lower turn. Do not replace both with identical copies.
北
Show word reading and meaning
běi
north
北 means north; learn its position with 北边 or 北方.
Read a sentence
学校在车站北边。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xué xiào zài chē zhàn běi biān。
The school is north of the station.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 北
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.
南
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the cross at the top and the enclosed lower section. Keep the interior strokes when writing from memory.
南
Show word reading and meaning
nán
south
南 means south. 东南 is southeast, not southwest.
Read a sentence
学校在公园南边。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xué xiào zài gōng yuán nán biān。
The school is south of the park.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 南
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.
方
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the top dot, the horizontal stroke and the lower turning part. Compare with 万, which has no top dot.
方向
Show word reading and meaning
fāngxiàng
direction
In 方向, learn the whole word for direction; 方 appears in many other words.
Read a sentence
请告诉我车站在哪个方向。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng gào su wǒ chē zhàn zài nǎ ge fāng xiàng。
Please tell me which direction the station is in.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 方
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.
向
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look for the small 口 inside the larger outer form. Compare this nesting with the open sides of 区.
方向
Show word reading and meaning
fāngxiàng
direction
方向 ends in 向 xiàng. The word is direction, not two unrelated labels.
Read a sentence
请告诉我车站在哪个方向。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng gào su wǒ chē zhàn zài nǎ ge fāng xiàng。
Please tell me which direction the station is in.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 向
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.
区
Learn the shape and a useful word
The enclosing shape is open on the right and contains crossing strokes. Keep it distinct from fully closed 园.
小区
Show word reading and meaning
xiǎoqū
residential neighbourhood or housing complex
小区 here is a residential neighbourhood or housing complex.
Read a sentence
我们小区附近有一个公园。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men xiǎo qū fù jìn yǒu yí gè gōng yuán。
There is a park near our residential neighbourhood.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 区
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: Point to north and south. Read 方向 and 小区. Which character has a small 口 inside, and which has an open right side?
Check and learn
北 is north and 南 is south. 方向 means direction, with the small 口 in 向. 小区 is a residential neighbourhood; 区 is open on the right.
Try a new context
车站在小区的北边。
Is the station inside the neighbourhood or to its north?
Compare your interpretation
The station is to the north of the neighbourhood. 北边 supplies the direction; 小区 names the reference place.
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.
110. Places to live and visit
Notice enclosures and recurring parts without guessing a word from one component.
城
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 is on the left and 成 on the right. Compare the complete character with 成 alone.
城市
Show word reading and meaning
chéngshì
city
城市 is city. The left-hand part is a recognition clue, not a complete definition of every word containing 土.
Read a sentence
你最喜欢哪个城市？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ zuì xǐ huan nǎ ge chéng shì？
Which city do you like best?
Learn the 9 strokes · write 城
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.
园
Learn the shape and a useful word
The outer enclosure surrounds 元. Keep the enclosing bottom stroke as well as the strokes inside.
公园
Show word reading and meaning
gōngyuán
park
公园 means public park; 园 also occurs in other words for grounds or gardens.
Read a sentence
我喜欢在公园里跑步。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xǐ huan zài gōng yuán lǐ pǎo bù。
I like running in the park.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 园
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.
屋
Learn the shape and a useful word
尸 covers the upper left of the lower part. Compare its sheltering position with the side-by-side parts of 城.
屋子
Show word reading and meaning
wūzi
room; house, depending on context
屋子 can mean room or house according to context; use the example rather than demanding one English word everywhere.
Read a sentence
这间屋子很安静。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè jiān wū zi hěn ān jìng。
This room is quiet.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 屋
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.
居
Learn the shape and a useful word
Like 屋, it begins with a covering 尸 shape. Here the lower part is 古, with a visible 口.
邻居
Show word reading and meaning
línjū
neighbour
邻居 is neighbour. The word names a person, even though it connects with a place to live.
Read a sentence
我的邻居是一名老师。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ de lín jū shì yī míng lǎo shī。
My neighbour is a teacher.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 居
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.
境
Learn the shape and a useful word
Keep 土 on the left, with the taller right-hand part containing an upper section and lower legs. It is not 城.
环境
Show word reading and meaning
huánjìng
environment; surroundings
环境 is environment or surroundings; learn it as a whole word.
Read a sentence
这里的环境很安静。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè lǐ de huán jìng hěn ān jìng。
The surroundings here are quiet.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 境
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 names a city, a public park, a room, a neighbour and the surroundings? Contrast the lower parts of 屋 and 居.
Check and learn
城市 is city, 公园 public park, 屋子 room or house, 邻居 neighbour and 环境 surroundings. 屋 and 居 share the upper 尸 but have different lower parts; 居 contains 古.
Try a new context
我的邻居住在公园旁边。
Does 邻居 name the park or the person living nearby?
Compare your interpretation
邻居 names the neighbour, a person. 公园 names the park; 旁边 expresses beside it.
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.
111. Joining an activity
Find individual characters inside words for participation, people and safety.
参
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper 厶 shape and the three sloping strokes at the lower right. Keep them when recalling the character.
参加
Show word reading and meaning
cānjiā
take part in; attend an activity
参 is cān in 参加. This does not establish its reading in every other word.
Read a sentence
我想参加明天的比赛。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng cān jiā míng tiān de bǐ sài。
I would like to take part in tomorrow's competition.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 参
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.
加
Learn the shape and a useful word
力 is on the left and 口 on the right. Compare with 办, which has extra side strokes rather than a separate 口.
加
Show word reading and meaning
jiā
add
参加 is take part in. Reading 加 by itself does not supply the meaning of the whole verb.
Read a sentence
请给咖啡加一点儿牛奶。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng gěi kā fēi jiā yī diǎnr niú nǎi。
Please add a little milk to the coffee.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 加
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.
赛
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the roof at the top and 贝 at the bottom. Keep the middle strokes between them; the outline alone is not enough.
比赛
Show word reading and meaning
bǐsài
competition; match
比赛 can name a competition or express competing. The sentence tells you its job.
Read a sentence
今天下午有一场足球比赛。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān xià wǔ yǒu yī chǎng zú qiú bǐ sài。
There is a football match this afternoon.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 赛
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.
员
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 口 sits above 贝. Compare this short stacked shape with the much taller 赛.
运动员
Show word reading and meaning
yùndòngyuán
athlete
运动员 means athlete. 员 occurs in words for people in a role; it is not always an independent word for person.
Read a sentence
这位运动员跑得很快。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè wèi yùn dòng yuán pǎo de hěn kuài。
This athlete runs very fast.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 员
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.
全
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper part covers 王 below. Compare its full outline with 王 alone.
安全
Show word reading and meaning
ānquán
safe; safety
安全 is safe or safety. Do not translate it as all merely because 全 has that meaning in other expressions.
Read a sentence
过马路的时候，要注意安全。
Show sentence reading and meaning
guò mǎ lù de shí hou， yào zhù yì ān quán。
Pay attention to safety when crossing the road.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 全
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Read 参加、比赛、运动员、安全. Which two target characters form 参加? Which word names a person?
Check and learn
参 and 加 form 参加, take part in. 比赛 is competition or compete; 运动员 is athlete and names a person. 安全 is safety or safe.
Try a new context
运动员参加比赛时要注意安全。
Name the people, the activity and the concern.
Compare your interpretation
The people are athletes, 运动员; the activity is a competition, 比赛; the concern is safety, 安全. 参加 connects the people to taking part.
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.
112. Must, need, should and only then
Use whole expressions and context to distinguish obligation from timing.
必
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the heart-like shape crossed by a long sloping stroke. Compare the full form with 心; do not omit the crossing stroke.
必须
Show word reading and meaning
bìxū
must; be required to
必须 expresses must or be required to; it is a two-character expression.
Read a sentence
你必须先买票，再进去。
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ bì xū xiān mǎi piào， zài jìn qù。
You must buy a ticket before going in.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 必
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.
须
Learn the shape and a useful word
Three sloping strokes stand on the left of 页. Compare this side-by-side layout with 页 alone.
必须
Show word reading and meaning
bìxū
must; be required to
须 completes 必须. A similar sound does not make it interchangeable with 需.
Read a sentence
你必须先买票，再进去。
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ bì xū xiān mǎi piào， zài jìn qù。
You must buy a ticket before going in.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 须
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.
需
Learn the shape and a useful word
雨 is above 而. Contrast the stacked arrangement with the side-by-side parts of 须.
需要
Show word reading and meaning
xūyào
need; require
需要 means need or require. 必须 and 需要 are different expressions, despite the shared xū sound.
Read a sentence
我需要一本词典。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xū yào yī běn cí diǎn。
I need a dictionary.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 需
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.
该
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice 讠 on the left, with the taller 亥 on the right. Keep the left-hand strokes rather than writing the right part alone.
该
Show word reading and meaning
gāi
should; it is time to
In 该睡觉了, 该 indicates it is time to sleep. Its sense depends on the sentence.
Read a sentence
已经十点了，该睡觉了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
yǐ jīng shí diǎn le， gāi shuì jiào le。
It is already ten; it is time to go to bed.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 该
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.
才
Learn the shape and a useful word
A vertical hook crosses the horizontal stroke, with a separate sloping stroke. Compare with 木, which has strokes spreading to both sides.
才
Show word reading and meaning
cái
only then; not until, often suggesting later than expected
才 can mark only then or not until; in the example it suggests a later arrival than expected.
Read a sentence
他九点才到学校。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā jiǔ diǎn cái dào xué xiào。
He did not arrive at school until nine.
Learn the 3 strokes · write 才
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 expression means must, and which means need? In 该睡觉了, what is it time to do? Does 九点才到 suggest an early or later-than-expected arrival?
Check and learn
必须 means must; 需要 means need. 该睡觉了 means it is time to sleep. 九点才到 means not arriving until nine, suggesting lateness in that context. 才 does not mean late in every use.
Try a new context
我需要一本词典，但是今天不用买。
Does needing the book mean buying it today is required?
Compare your interpretation
No. The speaker needs a dictionary but does not need to buy it today. Need, action and timing remain separate.
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.
113. Small words that change the message
Read the surrounding expression before assigning a meaning to a short character.
刚
Learn the shape and a useful word
冈 is followed by 刂 on the right. Compare with 风: the outer and inner shapes are different, and 刚 keeps the right-hand strokes.
刚
Show word reading and meaning
gāng
just; a short time ago
刚到家 means just arrived home; learn the timing from the full expression.
Read a sentence
我刚到家。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ gāng dào jiā。
I have just arrived home.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 刚
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.
又
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the crossing, spreading lower strokes. Compare with 叉, which adds a dot.
又
Show word reading and meaning
yòu
again; another occurrence, often of something already happening
又 can mark another occurrence. It is not a past-tense ending.
Read a sentence
今天又下雨了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān yòu xià yǔ le。
It is raining again today.
Learn the 2 strokes · write 又
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.
更
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the upper horizontal stroke, the framed middle and the crossing lower strokes. Compare the complete shape with 变.
更
Show word reading and meaning
gèng
even more; further increases a degree in a comparison
更 often increases the degree of a comparison, as in 更冷, even colder.
Read a sentence
今天比昨天更冷。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān bǐ zuó tiān gèng lěng。
Today is even colder than yesterday.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 更
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.
乎
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper sloping strokes, the long horizontal and the central hook. Do not reduce it to the simple cross of 十.
几乎
Show word reading and meaning
jīhū
almost; nearly
几乎 means almost or nearly. The whole expression matters; 乎 is not a general replacement for English almost.
Read a sentence
今天的作业我几乎做完了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān de zuò yè wǒ jī hū zuò wán le。
I have almost finished today's homework.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 乎
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.
于
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal strokes sit over a central vertical hook. Compare with 干, whose central stroke does not end in this hook.
关于
Show word reading and meaning
guānyú
about; concerning a topic
关于 introduces a topic: about or concerning. Learn it with the topic that follows.
Read a sentence
这本书是关于中国历史的。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè běn shū shì guān yú zhōng guó lì shǐ de。
This book is about Chinese history.
Learn the 3 strokes · write 于
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: Recall the expressions for just arrived, raining again, even colder, almost finished and about Chinese history.
Check and learn
刚到 means just arrived; 又下雨 means raining again; 更冷 means even colder; 几乎做完 means almost finished; 关于中国历史 means about Chinese history. These are contextual uses, not the only functions of each character.
Try a new context
我刚做完作业，弟弟几乎做完了。
Who has finished, and who is close to finishing?
Compare your interpretation
The speaker has just finished. The younger brother has almost finished; 几乎 does not say the task is already complete.
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.
114. Changes and corrected impressions
Distinguish the character parts from the meaning of a complete expression.
变
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper cluster and 又 below. Compare the lower part with 化, which has no 又.
变化
Show word reading and meaning
biànhuà
change; a change in a situation
变化 means a change or changes in a situation. 变 also appears in 变成, turn into.
Read a sentence
这个城市的变化很大。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge chéng shì de biàn huà hěn dà。
This city has changed a lot.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 变
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.
成
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the long sloping stroke and its hook on the right, with the enclosed strokes inside. Compare with 城, which adds 土 on the left.
变成
Show word reading and meaning
biànchéng
turn into; become
变成 means turn into or become. Do not insert the city character 城 just because it sounds similar.
Read a sentence
水变成冰了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
shuǐ biàn chéng bīng le。
The water has turned into ice.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 成
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.
化
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrow 亻 stands to the left of 匕. Compare the right-hand part with the different lower strokes of 北.
文化
Show word reading and meaning
wénhuà
culture
文化 means culture; it is not normally translated by assigning one English word to each character.
Read a sentence
我想了解中国文化。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng liǎo jiě zhōng guó wén huà。
I would like to learn about Chinese culture.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 化
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.
当
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the three small upper strokes and the lower turned horizontal shape. Compare with 归, whose left side is arranged differently.
当然
Show word reading and meaning
dāngrán
of course; naturally
当然 means of course or naturally; 当 can have other readings in other words.
Read a sentence
你当然可以参加。
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ dāng rán kě yǐ cān jiā。
Of course you can take part.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 当
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.
实
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the roof 宀 above the interior strokes. Keep it distinct from the uncovered 头 shape.
其实
Show word reading and meaning
qíshí
actually; in fact, often correcting an impression
其实 often corrects an impression: actually or in fact. It does not mean that a statement is true merely because it includes 实.
Read a sentence
其实这道题不难。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qí shí zhè dào tí bù nán。
Actually, this question is not difficult.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 实
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 expression means become, which names culture, and which can correct an earlier impression? Read 变化 and 当然 as well.
Check and learn
变成 means become; 文化 means culture; 其实 can introduce a correction, actually. 变化 is change in a situation and 当然 means of course. The shared 变 links two different expressions.
Try a new context
我以为这里没有变化，其实变化很大。
Which part corrects the speaker's earlier impression?
Compare your interpretation
其实 introduces the correction. The sentence reports substantial change here; it does not justify guessing every detail about the city.
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.