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 23 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
133. A journey has several stages
Distinguish booking, travelling, boarding and a delay.
巴
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the enclosed upper section and the long lower turn. Compare with 色, which adds a separate top part.
大巴
Show word reading and meaning
dàbā
coach; a large passenger bus
大巴 means a coach or large passenger bus. Learn the complete word; 巴 alone does not mean every kind of bus.
Read a sentence
我们坐大巴去机场。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men zuò dà bā qù jī chǎng。
We are taking a coach to the airport.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 巴
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.
乘
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look at the central vertical with short strokes on both sides and the lower spreading strokes. Compare its whole outline with 禾.
乘
Show word reading and meaning
chéng
take a form of transport; travel by
乘 is chéng when taking transport. It does not show that a journey has already finished.
Read a sentence
我们乘地铁去机场。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men chéng dì tiě qù jī chǎng。
We are taking the metro to the airport.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 乘
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.
登
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper spreading part sits above 豆. Compare the complete top with the upper strokes of 发.
登机
Show word reading and meaning
dēngjī
board an aircraft
登机 means board an aircraft. Buying a ticket and boarding are different actions.
Read a sentence
登机前，请准备好护照和登机牌。
Show sentence reading and meaning
dēng jī qián， qǐng zhǔn bèi hǎo hù zhào hé dēng jī pái。
Please have your passport and boarding pass ready before boarding.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 登
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.
订
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 is on the left and 丁 on the right. Compare with 打, whose left-hand part is 扌.
订
Show word reading and meaning
dìng
book; order in advance
订 means book or order in advance. A reservation does not itself describe arrival.
Read a sentence
我订了两张火车票。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ dìng le liǎng zhāng huǒ chē piào。
I booked two train tickets.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 订
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.
堵
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 stands to the left of 者. Compare the full character with 者 alone, and with 都, which has a right-hand 阝.
堵车
Show word reading and meaning
dǔchē
be stuck in traffic; a traffic jam
堵车 means being stuck in traffic or a traffic jam. The word names a delay, not a booking.
Read a sentence
路上堵车了，我可能会迟到。
Show sentence reading and meaning
lù shang dǔ chē le， wǒ kě néng huì chí dào。
There is a traffic jam, so I might be late.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 堵
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 a coach, the verb for taking transport, boarding a plane, booking and a traffic jam. Does booking a ticket establish that boarding has happened?
Check and learn
大巴 is coach; 乘 is take transport; 登机 is board a plane; 订 is book; 堵车 is a traffic jam. Booking and boarding are separate stages; one does not prove the other occurred.
Try a new context
我已经订了票，但是去机场的路上堵车了。
What has already been done, and what problem has appeared? Can you conclude that the person missed the flight?
Compare your interpretation
The ticket has been booked, and there is a traffic jam on the way to the airport. The sentence does not say whether the person eventually catches or misses the flight.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
134. Carry, wear, hang and deliver
Choose the action from the object and situation, not from a shared sound.
背
Learn the shape and a useful word
北 sits above 月. Compare the upper part with 北 alone and keep the lower framed part.
背
Show word reading and meaning
bēi
carry on one's back; pronounced bēi
背 is bēi when carrying on the back. The noun for the back can use bèi; learn the reading with its use.
Read a sentence
我背着书包去学校。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ bēi zhe shū bāo qù xué xiào。
I go to school carrying my schoolbag on my back.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 背
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.
袋
Learn the shape and a useful word
代 is above 衣. Compare the full stacked shape with 代 alone.
袋子
Show word reading and meaning
dàizi
bag; a sack or flexible container
袋子 is a bag or sack. It is not automatically the same kind of rigid container as a box.
Read a sentence
请把苹果放进袋子里。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng bǎ píng guǒ fàng jìn dài zi lǐ。
Please put the apples in the bag.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 袋
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.
戴
Learn the shape and a useful word
Look for 田 above 共 inside the larger sloping, hooked strokes. Keep the upper crossing strokes as well as the lower legs.
戴
Show word reading and meaning
dài
wear something such as glasses, a hat or jewellery
戴 is used for wearing such things as a hat or glasses. 带 means bring or take along in the earlier examples; the shared sound dài does not make them interchangeable.
Read a sentence
她戴着一顶蓝色的帽子。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā dài zhe yī dǐng lán sè de mào zi。
She is wearing a blue hat.
Learn the 17 strokes · write 戴
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.
挂
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 is on the left of 圭, with two 土-like sections on the right. Compare with 封, whose other part is 寸.
挂
Show word reading and meaning
guà
hang; suspend something
挂 means hang or suspend something. The linked sentence shows what is being hung.
Read a sentence
请把外套挂在门后。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng bǎ wài tào guà zài mén hòu。
Please hang your coat behind the door.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 挂
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.
递
Learn the shape and a useful word
辶 runs along the lower left and bottom of 弟. Compare with 弟 alone and keep the walking-side strokes.
快递
Show word reading and meaning
kuàidì
parcel delivery; an express delivery service
快递 names express delivery or a delivered parcel in context; it is not simply the adjective fast.
Read a sentence
我的快递今天到了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ de kuài dì jīn tiān dào le。
My parcel arrived today.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 递
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 背、袋子、戴、挂、快递. Which reading of 背 describes carrying, and how does 戴 differ from 带?
Check and learn
背 bēi describes carrying on the back. 袋子 is bag, 戴 is wear suitable items, 挂 is hang and 快递 is express delivery. 带 describes bringing or taking along in the contrast taught here.
Try a new context
他戴着帽子，背着一个袋子。
Which object is worn, and which is carried on the back?
Compare your interpretation
The hat is worn, 戴着帽子. The bag is carried on the back, 背着一个袋子. 背 is bēi in this use.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
135. Food, tools and a meal
Keep a place, a tool, a food and a counting word separate.
饼
Learn the shape and a useful word
饣 is on the left of 并. Compare with 并 alone; keep the food-side strokes.
饼干
Show word reading and meaning
bǐnggān
biscuit; cookie
饼干 means biscuit or cookie. Its final 干 is gān in this word.
Read a sentence
你想吃几块饼干？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ xiǎng chī jǐ kuài bǐng gān？
How many biscuits would you like?
Learn the 9 strokes · write 饼
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.
餐
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper cluster contains a 又 on the right, with 食 beneath it. Do not stop after the upper cluster and omit 食.
餐厅
Show word reading and meaning
cāntīng
dining room; restaurant
餐厅 means dining room or restaurant, depending on the situation.
Read a sentence
酒店的餐厅在一楼。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jiǔ diàn de cān tīng zài yī lóu。
The hotel's restaurant is on the ground floor.
Learn the 16 strokes · write 餐
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.
厨
Learn the shape and a useful word
厂 covers 豆 and 寸. Compare the interior with 厕, which contains 则 instead.
厨房
Show word reading and meaning
chúfáng
kitchen
厨房 means kitchen. It names a place for preparing food, not the dining room itself.
Read a sentence
妈妈正在厨房做饭。
Show sentence reading and meaning
mā ma zhèng zài chú fáng zuò fàn。
Mum is cooking in the kitchen.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 厨
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.
刀
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the bent outer stroke and the separate sloping stroke inside. Compare with 力, whose crossing position differs.
刀
Show word reading and meaning
dāo
knife
刀 means knife. The example shows an ordinary object word, not a classifier for meals.
Read a sentence
请用这把刀切水果。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng yòng zhè bǎ dāo qiè shuǐ guǒ。
Please use this knife to cut the fruit.
Learn the 2 strokes · write 刀
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.
顿
Learn the shape and a useful word
屯 is on the left and 页 on the right. Compare with 吨, which has 口 on the left instead.
顿
Show word reading and meaning
dùn
a classifier for meals or episodes of an action
顿 can count meals or episodes of an action. The selected use is a meal, such as 一顿饭.
Read a sentence
这顿饭是我做的。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè dùn fàn shì wǒ zuò de。
I cooked this meal.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 顿
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 biscuit, dining room, kitchen, knife and the counting word for a meal. Which covered character has 豆 and 寸 inside?
Check and learn
饼干 is biscuit, 餐厅 dining room or restaurant, 厨房 kitchen, 刀 knife, and 顿 counts a meal in 一顿饭. 厨 contains the covered 豆 and 寸.
Try a new context
厨房里没有刀，我们去餐厅吃一顿饭吧。
What is missing from the kitchen, and where does the speaker propose eating?
Compare your interpretation
A knife is missing from the kitchen. The speaker proposes eating a meal at the restaurant or dining room. 一顿饭 is one meal, not one knife.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
136. Body words and everyday care
Identify a body part or product before interpreting a description.
鼻
Learn the shape and a useful word
自 is above the lower section containing 田 and separate strokes below. Keep both levels rather than writing 自 alone.
鼻子
Show word reading and meaning
bízi
nose
鼻子 means nose. The final zi is neutral in the selected word reading.
Read a sentence
小猫的鼻子很小。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xiǎo māo de bí zi hěn xiǎo。
The kitten's nose is very small.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 鼻
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.
肚
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 stands on the left of 土. Compare the short right-hand part with the more complex right side of 膊.
肚子
Show word reading and meaning
dùzi
belly; abdomen; tummy
肚子 means belly or abdomen. It is a body word, not a medical diagnosis.
Read a sentence
我笑得肚子都疼了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiào de dù zi dōu téng le。
I laughed so much that my tummy hurt.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 肚
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.
肤
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 is on the left and 夫 on the right. Compare 夫 with 天; the central stroke extends differently above the upper horizontal.
皮肤
Show word reading and meaning
pífū
skin
皮肤 means skin. Learn the whole word rather than assigning its meaning from 月 alone.
Read a sentence
冬天，我的皮肤有点儿干。
Show sentence reading and meaning
dōng tiān， wǒ de pí fū yǒu diǎnr gān。
My skin is a little dry in winter.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 肤
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.
膏
Learn the shape and a useful word
高 sits above 月. Compare the stacked layout with 肤 and 肚, where 月 is at the left.
牙膏
Show word reading and meaning
yágāo
toothpaste
牙膏 means toothpaste; 牙刷 is toothbrush. They are related objects, not the same word.
Read a sentence
我的牙膏用完了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ de yá gāo yòng wán le。
I have run out of toothpaste.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 膏
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.
咳
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 stands on the left of 亥. Compare with 该, which has 讠 at the left.
咳
Show word reading and meaning
ké
cough; pronounced ké
咳 is ké for coughing in this example. A character reading does not tell you the cause of a symptom.
Read a sentence
他昨晚咳了几声。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā zuó wǎn ké le jǐ shēng。
He coughed a few times last night.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 咳
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 nose, belly, skin, toothpaste and coughing. Which two words share a body-related 月 but place it differently?
Check and learn
鼻子 is nose, 肚子 belly, 皮肤 skin, 牙膏 toothpaste and 咳 ké is cough. 肚 and 肤 place 月 at the left; 膏 places it underneath. These are visual comparisons, not diagnostic clues.
Try a new context
我咳了几声，但是肚子不疼。
What happened, and what discomfort does the speaker explicitly deny?
Compare your interpretation
The speaker coughed a few times but says the belly does not hurt. The sentence does not identify the cause of the cough.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
137. Arms and actions
Distinguish the body-part word from actions involving a person or an object.
胳
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 is on the left of 各. Compare with 格, whose left side is 木 instead.
胳膊
Show word reading and meaning
gēbo
arm
胳膊 means arm. The second syllable is neutral in the selected whole-word reading gēbo.
Read a sentence
打完网球以后，我的胳膊有点儿疼。
Show sentence reading and meaning
dǎ wán wǎng qiú yǐ hòu， wǒ de gē bo yǒu diǎnr téng。
My arm hurts a little after playing tennis.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 胳
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.
膊
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 is on the left; the right side contains an upper framed section and 寸 below. Compare with 胳, whose right-hand part is 各.
胳膊
Show word reading and meaning
gēbo
arm
膊 is the second character of 胳膊. Do not add an independent full tone just because you are studying this character separately.
Read a sentence
打完网球以后，我的胳膊有点儿疼。
Show sentence reading and meaning
dǎ wán wǎng qiú yǐ hòu， wǒ de gē bo yǒu diǎnr téng。
My arm hurts a little after playing tennis.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 膊
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.
抱
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 stands on the left of 包. Compare with 跑, which has 足 at the left, and with 保, which has 亻 and a different right side.
抱
Show word reading and meaning
bào
hold in one's arms; hug
抱 means hold in the arms or hug. The object and context identify which use is intended.
Read a sentence
妈妈抱着小孩儿。
Show sentence reading and meaning
mā ma bào zhe xiǎo háir。
Mum is holding the child in her arms.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 抱
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.
擦
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 is beside 察. Keep the full, taller right-hand part, including its roof and lower 示.
擦
Show word reading and meaning
cā
wipe; rub
擦 means wipe or rub. It is a different action from holding something in the arms.
Read a sentence
请把桌子擦干净。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng bǎ zhuō zi cā gān jìng。
Please wipe the table clean.
Learn the 17 strokes · write 擦
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.
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吹
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 is on the left and 欠 on the right. Compare with 饮, which has 饣 instead of 口.
吹
Show word reading and meaning
chuī
blow; move air
吹 means blow air in the selected use. A familiar right-hand part does not make 吹 and 饮 interchangeable.
Read a sentence
今天风很大，把我的帽子吹走了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān fēng hěn dà， bǎ wǒ de mào zi chuī zǒu le。
The wind was so strong today that it blew my hat away.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 吹
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
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The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Which two target characters form the word arm? Recall the verbs for holding in the arms, wiping and blowing.
Check and learn
胳 and 膊 form 胳膊 gēbo, arm. 抱 is hold in the arms or hug, 擦 is wipe or rub, and 吹 is blow. Read the complete word before deciding the meaning.
Try a new context
他抱着孩子，我擦了擦桌子。
Who is holding a child, and who wiped the table?
Compare your interpretation
He is holding the child; the speaker wiped the table. 抱 and 擦 describe different actions by different people.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
138. Places and parts of places
Separate a location, an opening and a regional part.
部
Learn the shape and a useful word
The left-hand part is 咅 and 阝 stands on the right. Compare with 陪, which places 阝 on the left.
北部
Show word reading and meaning
běibù
the northern part of a place
北部 is the northern part of a place. It is not automatically a separate city or country.
Read a sentence
这座城市的北部有一个机场。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zuò chéng shì de běi bù yǒu yí gè jī chǎng。
There is an airport in the northern part of this city.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 部
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窗
Learn the shape and a useful word
穴 covers the framed lower part. Compare with 空, whose lower part is 工 instead.
窗
Show word reading and meaning
chuāng
window; often appears in compounds
窗 means window and often appears in compounds such as 窗户.
Read a sentence
这间房有一扇窗。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè jiān fáng yǒu yī shàn chuāng。
This room has one window.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 窗
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.
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厕
Learn the shape and a useful word
厂 covers 则. Contrast the inside with 豆 and 寸 in 厨.
厕所
Show word reading and meaning
cèsuǒ
toilet; lavatory
厕所 means toilet or lavatory. Use the whole word when asking where it is.
Read a sentence
请问，厕所在哪儿？
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng wèn， cè suǒ zài nǎr？
Excuse me, where is the toilet?
Learn the 8 strokes · write 厕
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.
村
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 is on the left of 寸. Compare with 材, which has 才 rather than 寸 on the right.
村
Show word reading and meaning
cūn
village
村 means village, often within a longer place word or name.
Read a sentence
这个村里有一所学校。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge cūn lǐ yǒu yī suǒ xué xiào。
There is a school in this village.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 村
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.
厂
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal stroke at the top is followed by a long sloping stroke down the left. Compare with 广, which adds a dot above.
厂
Show word reading and meaning
chǎng
factory; often used in compounds
厂 refers to a factory, often in a compound. The two-stroke shape is not an incomplete 广.
Read a sentence
爸爸在一家汽车厂工作。
Show sentence reading and meaning
bà ba zài yī jiā qì chē chǎng gōng zuò。
Dad works in a car factory.
Learn the 2 strokes · write 厂
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 northern part, window, toilet, village and factory. Contrast the insides of 厨 and 厕, then the tops of 厂 and 广.
Check and learn
北部 is northern part, 窗 window, 厕所 toilet, 村 village and 厂 factory. 厨 contains 豆 and 寸; 厕 contains 则. 广 adds a top dot to the 厂-like outline.
Try a new context
这个村的北部有一家工厂，厂里有厕所。
Where is the factory, and where is the toilet in this sentence?
Compare your interpretation
The factory is in the northern part of the village. The toilet is inside the factory. 北部 and 厂里 give different levels of location.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the help and recall the five selected words. Revisit a confusing pair in its example, then try the new-context sentence again. For handwriting, write from memory and compare the model rather than copying it repeatedly.
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.