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 20 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
115. Working with a text
Keep study tools, sentences, sections and pages distinct.
复
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the central 日 and the spreading lower strokes. Compare with 夏 rather than relying only on the overall outline.
复习
Show word reading and meaning
fùxí
review; revise previously learned material
复习 means review or revise previously studied material, not learning everything for the first time.
Read a sentence
考试以前，我要复习课文。
Show sentence reading and meaning
kǎo shì yǐ qián， wǒ yào fù xí kè wén。
I need to review the texts before the exam.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 复
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.
典
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the broad middle with several vertical strokes and the two separate lower strokes. Compare with a plain 册 shape.
词典
Show word reading and meaning
cídiǎn
dictionary
词典 means dictionary; 字典 is another dictionary word with a different first character.
Read a sentence
我用词典查这个词。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ yòng cí diǎn chá zhè ge cí。
I use a dictionary to look up this word.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 典
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.
句
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 口 sits inside a wrapping upper-right stroke. Compare with 勺, whose inside is a dot rather than 口.
句子
Show word reading and meaning
jùzi
sentence
句子 means sentence. In 一句话, 句 also counts a sentence or utterance.
Read a sentence
这个句子是什么意思？
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge jù zi shì shén me yì si？
What does this sentence mean?
Learn the 5 strokes · write 句
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.
段
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the two side-by-side parts and the 又 at the bottom right. Keep the left-hand short strokes as well.
段
Show word reading and meaning
duàn
a classifier for sections of text or stretches of time
段 counts a stretch or section, such as 一段课文; it does not mean page.
Read a sentence
请读这段课文。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng dú zhè duàn kè wén。
Please read this section of the text.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 段
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.
页
Learn the shape and a useful word
Compare its top horizontal and sloping strokes with the lower framed part and two spreading strokes. It is not 贝 alone.
页
Show word reading and meaning
yè
page
页 names or counts a page. A page and a section are different units of a text.
Read a sentence
请打开课本，看第五页。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng dǎ kāi kè běn， kàn dì wǔ yè。
Please open your textbook and look at page five.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 页
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 句 or 段 for a sentence versus a section. Which word is the dictionary, which character is the page, and which verb means review?
Check and learn
句 counts a sentence; 段 counts a section or stretch. 词典 is dictionary, 页 is page and 复习 is review. Remember the complete word reading for each.
Try a new context
请复习第五页的两段课文。
Does the instruction ask for two pages or two sections on page five?
Compare your interpretation
It asks for two sections on page five. 页 identifies the page and 段 identifies the sections to review.
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.
116. Effort, persistence and habits
Recognise reused parts while keeping the whole expression and its purpose clear.
努
Learn the shape and a useful word
奴 is above 力. Contrast that stacked 力 with the separate second character 力 in 努力.
努力
Show word reading and meaning
nǔlì
make an effort; work hard
努力 is make an effort or work hard; seeing 力 twice in the word helps you check the written sequence.
Read a sentence
我想努力提高汉语水平。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng nǔ lì tí gāo hàn yǔ shuǐ píng。
I want to work hard to improve my Chinese.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 努
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.
力
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the bent hook and the sloping stroke through its upper area. Compare with 刀, whose stroke arrangement is different.
努力
Show word reading and meaning
nǔlì
make an effort; work hard
努力 names effort, not a guarantee of success. Use it with the action someone is trying to do.
Read a sentence
我想努力提高汉语水平。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng nǔ lì tí gāo hàn yǔ shuǐ píng。
I want to work hard to improve my Chinese.
Learn the 2 strokes · write 力
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.
坚
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper strokes sit above 土. Compare its lower part with the lower 贝 in similar-looking tall characters.
坚持
Show word reading and meaning
jiānchí
persist; keep doing something
坚持 means persist or keep doing. Learn the word with a continuing action.
Read a sentence
我坚持每天学习十个新词。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jiān chí měi tiān xué xí shí gè xīn cí。
I keep studying ten new words every day.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 坚
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.
健
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 is on the left and 建 on the right. Do not omit the person-side strokes and leave 建 alone.
健康
Show word reading and meaning
jiànkāng
health; healthy
健康 can mean health or healthy. The whole word and sentence determine its job.
Read a sentence
每天运动对身体健康有帮助。
Show sentence reading and meaning
měi tiān yùn dòng duì shēn tǐ jiàn kāng yǒu bāng zhù。
Daily exercise helps keep you healthy.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 健
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.
惯
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 is on the left, while the right-hand part includes 贝 below. Contrast this outline with 健, which has 亻 and 建.
习惯
Show word reading and meaning
xíguàn
habit; be accustomed to
习惯 can be a habit or being used to something; the example shows being accustomed to an activity.
Read a sentence
我习惯每天早上跑步。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xí guàn měi tiān zǎo shang pǎo bù。
I am used to running every morning.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 惯
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 努力、坚持、健康、习惯. Where does 力 appear inside 努 and in 努力? Which word concerns a familiar routine?
Check and learn
力 is below 奴 in 努 and then appears as the separate second character of 努力. 坚持 is persist, 健康 health or healthy, and 习惯 habit or being accustomed to a routine.
Try a new context
她坚持每天跑步，现在已经习惯了。
Does 习惯了 say the routine is new and unfamiliar?
Compare your interpretation
No. She keeps running every day and is now used to it. The sentence connects persistence with becoming accustomed to the routine.
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.
117. Everyday care
Learn the particular reading in the word; do not assign one reading or meaning everywhere.
干
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal strokes cross a vertical. Contrast the central straight stroke with the hook in 于.
干净
Show word reading and meaning
gānjìng
clean
干 is gān in 干净, clean. The same written character is gàn in the verb 干, do or work; do not transfer that reading here.
Read a sentence
这个教室很干净。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge jiào shì hěn gān jìng。
This classroom is clean.
Learn the 3 strokes · write 干
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.
刷
Learn the shape and a useful word
The left part contains 尸 and 巾, with 刂 on the right. Keep the right-hand strokes rather than stopping at the cloth-like lower part.
刷
Show word reading and meaning
shuā
brush; scrub
刷牙 is brush teeth. 刷 is the action, not the word for the toothbrush itself.
Read a sentence
我每天早上刷牙。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang shuā yá。
I brush my teeth every morning.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 刷
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.
牙
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper turn, central vertical hook and lower sloping stroke. Compare this full shape with 才.
牙
Show word reading and meaning
yá
tooth; teeth
牙 can refer to a tooth or teeth. Chinese does not add an English-style plural ending.
Read a sentence
我每天早上刷牙。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang shuā yá。
I brush my teeth every morning.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 牙
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.
毛
Learn the shape and a useful word
The short upper strokes meet a long bending vertical hook. Compare with 手; keep the different lower turn.
毛
Show word reading and meaning
máo
máo; a conversational monetary unit equal to one tenth of a yuan
毛 is a conversational money unit in the selected example. In other words it can relate to hair or fur.
Read a sentence
这支笔两块五毛。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhī bǐ liǎng kuài wǔ máo。
This pen costs two yuan and fifty cents.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 毛
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.
冒
Learn the shape and a useful word
There are two stacked framed sections. Compare the lower 目, with two inner horizontal strokes, against a simple 日.
感冒
Show word reading and meaning
gǎnmào
have a cold; catch a cold
感冒 means have or catch a cold. A character-shape cue does not diagnose an illness.
Read a sentence
我感冒了，今天不去上课。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ gǎn mào le， jīn tiān bù qù shàng kè。
I have a cold and will not go to class today.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 冒
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 means clean? In 刷牙, name the action and what is brushed. Read the money use of 毛 and the whole word 感冒.
Check and learn
干净 gānjìng means clean. 刷 is brush and 牙 is teeth in 刷牙. 毛 máo is a conversational tenth of a yuan in the money example; 感冒 is have a cold.
Try a new context
我买了一把牙刷，花了两块五毛。
Did the speaker buy teeth or a toothbrush, and how is 毛 being used?
Compare your interpretation
The speaker bought a toothbrush, 牙刷. 毛 is a money unit here, so 两块五毛 is two yuan and fifty cents; it is not a description of fur.
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.
118. Animals, plants and freshness
Use visible contrasts and whole-word contexts instead of treating a shared sound as a meaning.
羊
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the small upper strokes and the central vertical passing through horizontal strokes. Compare with 养, which adds a different lower section.
羊
Show word reading and meaning
yáng
sheep; goats are named with compounds such as 山羊
羊 names sheep in the example. Compounds distinguish animals such as 山羊, goat.
Read a sentence
我们在山上看到了几只羊。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men zài shān shàng kàn dào le jǐ zhī yáng。
We saw several sheep on the mountain.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 羊
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.
养
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper section resembles the top of 羊, but the lower strokes spread and continue into a different base. Compare both full characters.
养
Show word reading and meaning
yǎng
raise; keep and care for an animal
养 can mean keeping and caring for an animal; it does not mean animal by itself.
Read a sentence
我家养了一只猫。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jiā yǎng le yī zhī māo。
My family has a pet cat.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 养
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.
树
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 stands on the left, with 对 on the right. Do not replace the whole right-hand side with just 又.
树
Show word reading and meaning
shù
tree
树 means tree; use the classifier 棵 in the linked example.
Read a sentence
我家门口有一棵树。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jiā mén kǒu yǒu yī kē shù。
There is a tree at the entrance to my home.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 树
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.
瓜
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the two outer sloping sides and the smaller strokes inside. Compare with 爪 in a printed model rather than guessing from the outline.
西瓜
Show word reading and meaning
xīguā
watermelon
西瓜 is watermelon. Learning the whole word is more useful here than translating 西 as west.
Read a sentence
这个西瓜很甜。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge xī guā hěn tián。
This watermelon is sweet.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 瓜
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.
鲜
Learn the shape and a useful word
鱼 is on the left and 羊 on the right. Keep both parts distinct from 羊 alone.
新鲜
Show word reading and meaning
xīnxiān
fresh
新鲜 means fresh. These visible parts are a memory cue, not a rule for deriving a modern word's meaning.
Read a sentence
这些水果很新鲜。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè xiē shuǐ guǒ hěn xīn xiān。
This fruit is very fresh.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 鲜
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 羊、养、树、西瓜、新鲜. Which is the animal, which is an action of caring for one, and which word describes fresh food?
Check and learn
羊 is sheep in the selected example; 养 is raise or care for an animal. 树 is tree, 西瓜 watermelon and 新鲜 fresh. The 羊 inside 鲜 does not mean the fruit is a sheep.
Try a new context
这些西瓜很新鲜，旁边的树也很高。
Which description belongs to the watermelons, and which to the tree?
Compare your interpretation
The watermelons are fresh; the tree beside them is tall. Do not carry one adjective over to both nouns without checking the sentence.
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.
119. Containers and drinks
Keep objects, utensils and the contents of a container separate.
盘
Learn the shape and a useful word
舟 sits over 皿. Compare this broad lower base with the side-by-side parts of 瓶.
盘子
Show word reading and meaning
pánzi
plate; dish
盘子 is plate or dish, the object holding food rather than the food itself.
Read a sentence
请把水果放在盘子里。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng bǎ shuǐ guǒ fàng zài pán zi lǐ。
Please put the fruit on the plate.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 盘
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.
瓶
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at 并 on the left and 瓦 on the right. Keep the right-hand hooked strokes instead of replacing them with a simple vertical.
瓶子
Show word reading and meaning
píngzi
bottle
瓶子 means bottle; 一瓶水 uses 瓶 to count a bottle of water.
Read a sentence
这个瓶子里有水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge píng zi lǐ yǒu shuǐ。
There is water in this bottle.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 瓶
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.
勺
Learn the shape and a useful word
A single dot sits inside the wrapping stroke. Compare with 句, which encloses 口 instead.
勺子
Show word reading and meaning
sháozi
spoon
勺子 is spoon; the neutral final syllable zi belongs to this word reading.
Read a sentence
我用勺子喝汤。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ yòng sháo zi hē tāng。
I use a spoon to drink soup.
Learn the 3 strokes · write 勺
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.
饮
Learn the shape and a useful word
饣 stands on the left and 欠 on the right. Compare the left side with 讠 in speech-related shapes; they are not the same.
饮料
Show word reading and meaning
yǐnliào
drink; beverage
饮料 means drink or beverage. Its meaning comes from the complete word.
Read a sentence
你想喝什么饮料？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ xiǎng hē shén me yǐn liào？
What would you like to drink?
Learn the 7 strokes · write 饮
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.
料
Learn the shape and a useful word
米 is on the left and 斗 on the right. Compare the central crossing strokes of 米 with 木.
饮料
Show word reading and meaning
yǐnliào
drink; beverage
料 is the second character in 饮料. It appears in other words with different whole-word meanings.
Read a sentence
你想喝什么饮料？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ xiǎng hē shén me yǐn liào？
What would you like to drink?
Learn the 10 strokes · write 料
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 words for a plate, bottle, spoon and beverage. Which two target characters form the beverage word?
Check and learn
盘子 is plate, 瓶子 bottle, 勺子 spoon and 饮料 beverage. 饮 and 料 are its two characters. The bottle is a container, not the drink itself.
Try a new context
请把饮料放在桌子上，把勺子放在盘子里。
What goes on the table and what goes in the plate?
Compare your interpretation
The drink goes on the table. The spoon goes in the plate. The sentence names different objects and different locations.
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.
120. Air, water and surroundings
Notice complete word units even when one character also has a separate meaning.
空
Learn the shape and a useful word
穴 covers 工 below. Compare the stacked layout with the side-by-side parts of 环.
空调
Show word reading and meaning
kōngtiáo
air conditioner; air conditioning
空 is kōng in 空调, air conditioning. Other words can use kòng; learn the selected word reading first.
Read a sentence
房间太热了，请打开空调。
Show sentence reading and meaning
fáng jiān tài rè le， qǐng dǎ kāi kōng tiáo。
The room is too hot; please turn on the air conditioner.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 空
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.
矿
Learn the shape and a useful word
石 is on the left and 广 on the right. Keep the small 口 within 石; the whole character is not 广 alone.
矿泉水
Show word reading and meaning
kuàngquánshuǐ
mineral water
矿泉水 is mineral water. Do not split its meaning into guesses from character shapes.
Read a sentence
我想买一瓶矿泉水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī píng kuàng quán shuǐ。
I would like to buy a bottle of mineral water.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 矿
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.
泉
Learn the shape and a useful word
白 is above 水. Compare the top with 日: 白 includes a small sloping stroke above the frame.
矿泉水
Show word reading and meaning
kuàngquánshuǐ
mineral water
泉 is quán in 矿泉水. The complete three-character word names the drink.
Read a sentence
我想买一瓶矿泉水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī píng kuàng quán shuǐ。
I would like to buy a bottle of mineral water.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 泉
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.
环
Learn the shape and a useful word
王 appears in a narrow left-hand position beside 不. Compare with 全, where 王 sits under an upper cover.
环境
Show word reading and meaning
huánjìng
environment; surroundings
环境 means surroundings or environment. Keep the word separate from the individual shape cue.
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 8 strokes · write 环
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.
黄
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the broad upper strokes, the framed middle and the two lower strokes. Compare the complete printed shape with 典.
黄色
Show word reading and meaning
huángsè
yellow
黄色 means yellow. It names a colour, not the environment as a whole.
Read a sentence
那辆黄色的车是我爸爸的。
Show sentence reading and meaning
nà liàng huáng sè de chē shì wǒ bà ba de。
That yellow car belongs to my dad.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 黄
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 air conditioner, mineral water, surroundings and the colour yellow. Which two target characters appear before 水 in the water word?
Check and learn
空调 is air conditioner, 矿泉水 mineral water, 环境 surroundings and 黄色 yellow. 矿 and 泉 appear before 水 in 矿泉水.
Try a new context
黄色的瓶子里是矿泉水，房间里有空调。
Does 黄色 describe the water or the bottle?
Compare your interpretation
黄色 describes the bottle. The bottle contains mineral water, and the room has an air conditioner; the water is not said to be yellow.
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.