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 26 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
151. People and places during an activity
Keep a person, a place, a group and a condition distinct.
察
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 covers 祭, whose lower part is 示. Compare with 擦, which adds 扌 to the left of 察.
警察
Show word reading and meaning
jǐngchá
police officer; the police
警察 names a police officer or the police. The word does not name the police station itself.
Read a sentence
我向警察问了路。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiàng jǐng chá wèn le lù。
I asked a police officer for directions.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 察
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.
操
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 stands on the left; the right-hand part has several 口 above 木. Keep the full cluster rather than one isolated box.
操场
Show word reading and meaning
cāochǎng
school playground; sports ground
操场 means school playground or sports ground. It names the place, not the team.
Read a sentence
学生们在操场上跑步。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xué shēng men zài cāo chǎng shàng pǎo bù。
The students are running on the school sports ground.
Learn the 16 strokes · write 操
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.
待
Learn the shape and a useful word
彳 is on the left and 寺 on the right. Compare with 诗, which has 讠 before 寺.
待
Show word reading and meaning
dāi
stay; remain in a place, pronounced dāi
待 is dāi when staying in a place in the selected example. 等待 uses dài; do not assume the same reading across both contexts.
Read a sentence
今天下雨，我们待在家里吧。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jīn tiān xià yǔ， wǒ men dāi zài jiā lǐ ba。
It is raining today; let us stay at home.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 待
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.
队
Learn the shape and a useful word
阝 is on the left of 人. Compare with 从, which has two 人-like parts and no 阝.
队
Show word reading and meaning
duì
team; a classifier for groups of people
队 can name a team or count a group of people. Use the whole phrase to identify the group.
Read a sentence
我们队有十名队员。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men duì yǒu shí míng duì yuán。
There are ten players on our team.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 队
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.
管
Learn the shape and a useful word
竹 sits above 官. Compare with 官 alone, keeping the bamboo-like upper strokes.
不管
Show word reading and meaning
bùguǎn
no matter; regardless of, normally followed by 都
不管 often means no matter or regardless of, followed by 都. It does not always mean that nobody manages something.
Read a sentence
不管你选哪本书，我都支持你。
Show sentence reading and meaning
bù guǎn nǐ xuǎn nǎ běn shū， wǒ dōu zhī chí nǐ。
Whichever book you choose, I will support you.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 管
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 police, playground, staying, team and regardless of. Which selected reading of 待 means stay, and how does 不管 function?
Check and learn
警察 is police, 操场 playground, 待 dāi stay, 队 team, and 不管 regardless of in the selected construction. 不管……都…… keeps a result across the alternatives; it is not automatically about management.
Try a new context
队员们在操场等警察，大家都待在那里。
Which word names the place, which names the people being awaited, and is 待 read dāi or dài here?
Compare your interpretation
操场 is the place; 警察 are the people being awaited. 待在那里 uses dāi, stay there. 等 expresses waiting in this sentence.
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.
152. What happened and what was achieved
Identify the actual action instead of treating similar-looking words as the same result.
败
Learn the shape and a useful word
贝 is on the left of 攵. Compare with 财, which has 才 on the right.
打败
Show word reading and meaning
dǎbài
defeat; beat an opponent
打败 means defeat an opponent. Read who defeated whom rather than assuming the subject lost.
Read a sentence
我们队打败了对方。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men duì dǎ bài le duì fāng。
Our team defeated the other side.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 败
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.
倒
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 stands on the left of 到, whose right side already contains 刂. Keep the full right-hand 到.
倒
Show word reading and meaning
dào
pour; tip out, pronounced dào
倒 is dào for pouring in the selected example. The falling-over use is dǎo; the word context determines the reading.
Read a sentence
请给我倒一杯水。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng gěi wǒ dào yī bēi shuǐ。
Please pour me a glass of water.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 倒
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.
产
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper dot and horizontal strokes, with a long sloping stroke down the left below them. Compare the whole outline with 立.
产生
Show word reading and meaning
chǎnshēng
produce; give rise to
产生 means produce or give rise to. It does not identify a cause unless the sentence provides one.
Read a sentence
这个故事让我产生了学习汉语的兴趣。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge gù shi ràng wǒ chǎn shēng le xué xí hàn yǔ de xìng qù。
This story sparked my interest in learning Chinese.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 产
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.
达
Learn the shape and a useful word
辶 runs along the lower left and bottom of 大. Compare with 大 alone and keep the walking-side strokes.
达到
Show word reading and meaning
dádào
reach a level, amount or goal
达到 means reach a level, amount or goal. It differs from simply setting the goal.
Read a sentence
这次考试的分数达到了我的目标。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè cì kǎo shì de fēn shù dá dào le wǒ de mù biāo。
My score in this exam reached my target.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 达
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.
度
Learn the shape and a useful word
广 covers the middle horizontal strokes, with 又 below. Compare the lower part with 底, whose inside is 氐.
度假
Show word reading and meaning
dùjià
spend a holiday; go on holiday
度假 means spend a holiday. 假 is jià in this word, as in 放假.
Read a sentence
我们打算去海边度假。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men dǎ suàn qù hǎi biān dù jià。
We are planning a holiday by the sea.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 度
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 defeating, pouring, producing, reaching a goal and spending a holiday. Which reading of 倒 goes with pouring?
Check and learn
打败 is defeat; 倒 dào is pour; 产生 produce or give rise to; 达到 reach; 度假 spend a holiday. 倒 dǎo belongs to other falling-over contexts, not this selected pouring use.
Try a new context
他们打败了对手，达到了原来的目标。
Did they lose to their opponents, and was the goal merely planned or reached?
Compare your interpretation
They defeated their opponents and reached the original goal. 打败了对手 does not mean they were defeated; 达到了 states that the goal was reached.
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.
153. A journey and its surroundings
Separate a holiday period, a flight, a place and a completed movement.
寒
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the roof 宀, the dense middle and the two small strokes at the bottom. Compare the whole lower part with the 贝 at the bottom of 赛.
寒假
Show word reading and meaning
hánjià
winter school holiday
寒假 is the winter school holiday. The whole word names a period, not a scheduled flight.
Read a sentence
寒假里，我想去看爷爷奶奶。
Show sentence reading and meaning
hán jià lǐ， wǒ xiǎng qù kàn yé ye nǎi nai。
I would like to visit my grandparents during the winter holiday.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 寒
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.
航
Learn the shape and a useful word
舟 is on the left and 亢 on the right. Compare with 船, whose right-hand part includes a different upper section and 口.
航班
Show word reading and meaning
hángbān
flight; a scheduled airline service
航班 is a scheduled airline flight. A flight listing is different from a report that an aircraft has landed.
Read a sentence
你的航班几点到？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ de háng bān jǐ diǎn dào？
What time does your flight arrive?
Learn the 10 strokes · write 航
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.
郊
Learn the shape and a useful word
交 stands on the left of 阝. Compare with 校, which has 木 beside 交 instead.
郊区
Show word reading and meaning
jiāoqū
suburbs; the area on the outskirts of a city
郊区 means suburbs or the outskirts of a city; it is a place, not a direction by itself.
Read a sentence
我家住在郊区。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jiā zhù zài jiāo qū。
My family lives in the suburbs.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 郊
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.
落
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 sits above a lower section containing 氵 and 各. Keep the full lower arrangement rather than writing 各 alone.
降落
Show word reading and meaning
jiàngluò
land; come down to the ground
降落 means land or come down to the ground; the selected word is jiàngluò.
Read a sentence
飞机已经安全降落了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
fēi jī yǐ jīng ān quán jiàng luò le。
The plane has landed safely.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 落
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.
江
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 is on the left and 工 on the right. Compare with 汗, which has 干 instead of 工.
江
Show word reading and meaning
jiāng
river; often used in names of large rivers
江 is river and often occurs in river names. The example supplies the particular place.
Read a sentence
这条江穿过我们的家乡。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè tiáo jiāng chuān guò wǒ men de jiā xiāng。
This river flows through our hometown.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 江
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 winter holiday, scheduled flight, suburbs, landing and river. Which word describes the aircraft reaching the ground?
Check and learn
寒假 is winter holiday, 航班 scheduled flight, 郊区 suburbs, 降落 landing and 江 river. 降落 describes reaching the ground; 航班 names the flight service.
Try a new context
飞机降落以后，我们坐车去了江边的郊区。
Did the drive happen before or after landing, and where did the group go?
Compare your interpretation
The drive happened after landing. They went to a suburban area by the river. The sentence does not give a flight number or say it was winter holiday.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the models and recall each selected word. Recheck a pair you confused, then interpret the new sentence again. If practising handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and note one missing or misplaced feature.
154. Calling, greeting and communicating
Keep a loud voice, a greeting and an exchange of ideas distinct.
喊
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 stands on the left of 咸. Compare with 感, which places 心 below 咸 instead.
喊
Show word reading and meaning
hǎn
shout; call out loudly
喊 means shout or call loudly. It is not automatically a friendly greeting.
Read a sentence
他在门口喊我的名字。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā zài mén kǒu hǎn wǒ de míng zi。
He is calling out my name at the entrance.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 喊
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.
呼
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 is beside 乎. Compare with 乎 alone and keep the separate mouth-side part.
打招呼
Show word reading and meaning
dǎ zhāohu
greet someone; say hello
打招呼 means greet or say hello. In this word, the final hu is neutral; do not impose a full tone from an isolated character name.
Read a sentence
见到老师时，请打招呼。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jiàn dào lǎo shī shí， qǐng dǎ zhāo hu。
Please greet your teacher when you see them.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 呼
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.
互
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper and lower horizontals joined by the turning middle strokes. Compare the whole shape with 五 rather than treating them as the same outline.
互联网
Show word reading and meaning
hùliánwǎng
the internet
互联网 means the internet. Learn the full three-character word before interpreting the situation.
Read a sentence
我们可以通过互联网获取信息。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men kě yǐ tōng guò hù lián wǎng huò qǔ xìn xī。
We can get information through the internet.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 互
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.
联
Learn the shape and a useful word
耳 stands on the left of 关. Compare with 关 alone and keep all the left-hand strokes.
互联网
Show word reading and meaning
hùliánwǎng
the internet
联 is the middle character in 互联网. These two target characters teach different parts of one word, not two new vocabulary items.
Read a sentence
我们可以通过互联网获取信息。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men kě yǐ tōng guò hù lián wǎng huò qǔ xìn xī。
We can get information through the internet.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 联
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.
流
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 stands at the left of an upper section with three lower downward strokes. Compare its whole right side with 充.
交流
Show word reading and meaning
jiāoliú
communicate; exchange ideas or experience
交流 means communicate or exchange ideas and experience. It is not restricted to shouting or sending a greeting.
Read a sentence
我们经常交流学习方法。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men jīng cháng jiāo liú xué xí fāng fǎ。
We often share our ways of studying.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 流
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 shout, which means greet, and which means exchange ideas? Name the two target characters inside 互联网.
Check and learn
喊 is shout, 打招呼 greet and 交流 exchange ideas. 互 and 联 are inside 互联网, the internet. Speaking loudly does not by itself establish a useful exchange.
Try a new context
我们先打了招呼，然后通过互联网交流学习经验。
What happened first, and what was exchanged afterward?
Compare your interpretation
They greeted each other first, then exchanged learning experience through the internet. The sentence does not say they shouted.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the models and recall each selected word. Recheck a pair you confused, then interpret the new sentence again. If practising handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and note one missing or misplaced feature.
155. Doubt, regret and an uncertain forecast
Distinguish a past choice from an unconfirmed possibility.
怀
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 is on the left and 不 on the right. Compare with 环, which has 王 beside 不.
怀疑
Show word reading and meaning
huáiyí
doubt; suspect; be unsure whether something is true
怀疑 means doubt or suspect. It does not establish that the suspicion is true.
Read a sentence
我怀疑这个答案不对。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ huái yí zhè ge dá àn bú duì。
I suspect that this answer is wrong.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 怀
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.
悔
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 stands on the left of 每. Compare with 海, which has 氵 at the left.
后悔
Show word reading and meaning
hòuhuǐ
regret; be sorry about a past choice
后悔 means regret a past choice. It is not simply uncertainty about a future event.
Read a sentence
我有点儿后悔没参加那次活动。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ yǒu diǎnr hòu huǐ méi cān jiā nà cì huó dòng。
I regret not taking part in that event a little.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 悔
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.
虑
Learn the shape and a useful word
虍 covers 心. Compare with 虎, which has different lower strokes instead of 心.
考虑
Show word reading and meaning
kǎolǜ
consider; think carefully about a choice
考虑 means consider or think carefully about a choice. It does not itself announce a final decision.
Read a sentence
我想再考虑一下你的建议。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xiǎng zài kǎo lǜ yí xià nǐ de jiàn yì。
I would like to think about your suggestion a little more.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 虑
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.
肯
Learn the shape and a useful word
止 sits above 月. Compare the complete stacked shape with 止 alone.
肯定
Show word reading and meaning
kěndìng
definitely; be certain; also affirm something
肯定 can mean definitely, be certain or affirm something, depending on the sentence.
Read a sentence
他肯定已经到家了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā kěn dìng yǐ jīng dào jiā le。
He has definitely arrived home already.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 肯
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恐
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper section includes 工 and a hooked right-hand part, with 心 below. Keep the small strokes above 心.
恐怕
Show word reading and meaning
kǒngpà
I am afraid; probably, expressing an unwelcome possibility
恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome possibility, like I am afraid or probably. It does not automatically assert certainty.
Read a sentence
现在太晚了，恐怕来不及了。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xiàn zài tài wǎn le， kǒng pà lái bu jí le。
It is too late now; I am afraid there is not enough time.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 恐
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: Recall doubting, regretting, considering, certainty and an unwelcome possibility. Which word points to a past choice?
Check and learn
怀疑 is doubt, 后悔 regret, 考虑 consider, 肯定 certainty or affirmation, and 恐怕 an unwelcome possibility in the selected use. 后悔 concerns a past choice; 恐怕 need not describe a confirmed event.
Try a new context
我还在考虑，恐怕今天不能给你肯定的答复。
Has a definite answer been given? Which expression shows continuing thought?
Compare your interpretation
No definite answer has been given. 还在考虑 shows that consideration continues; 恐怕 introduces the likely difficulty of giving a definite answer today.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the models and recall each selected word. Recheck a pair you confused, then interpret the new sentence again. If practising handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and note one missing or misplaced feature.
156. Plans, estimates and conditions
Do not turn a plan or a conditional statement into a completed event.
划
Learn the shape and a useful word
戈 is on the left and 刂 on the right. Compare with 找, which has 扌 beside 戈.
计划
Show word reading and meaning
jìhuà
plan; make a plan
划 is huà in 计划, plan. Other word contexts can use huá; keep the reading with its word.
Read a sentence
你有什么学习计划？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ yǒu shén me xué xí jì huà？
What plans do you have for your studies?
Learn the 6 strokes · write 划
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.
计
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 stands to the left of 十. Compare with 针, whose left side is 钅.
估计
Show word reading and meaning
gūjì
estimate; suppose something is likely
估计 means estimate or suppose. It is different from confirming a result.
Read a sentence
我估计他十分钟后到。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ gū jì tā shí fēn zhōng hòu dào。
I expect he will arrive in ten minutes.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 计
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.
及
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the upper turning stroke and the strokes spreading down to both sides. Compare the complete form with 又.
及时
Show word reading and meaning
jíshí
in time; promptly, before it is too late
及时 means in time or promptly, before it is too late. It is different from doing something at any unspecified time.
Read a sentence
我及时赶到了车站。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jí shí gǎn dào le chē zhàn。
I reached the station in time.
Learn the 3 strokes · write 及
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.
即
Learn the shape and a useful word
The framed left part ends in a lower turn, with the narrow 卩 on the right. Compare its right side with 既.
即使
Show word reading and meaning
jíshǐ
even if; followed by 也 to show that the result still holds
即使 means even if in a condition normally followed by 也. The condition need not actually occur.
Read a sentence
即使下雨，我们也会去参加活动。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jí shǐ xià yǔ， wǒ men yě huì qù cān jiā huó dòng。
Even if it rains, we will still take part in the event.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 即
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.
将
Learn the shape and a useful word
The left-hand strokes stand beside an upper-right section and 寸 below it. Keep the small right-hand dot.
将
Show word reading and meaning
jiāng
will; marks a future action, often in writing
将 is jiāng for a future action in the selected written-style use. It does not mark that the action is already complete.
Read a sentence
新的图书馆将于明年开放。
Show sentence reading and meaning
xīn de tú shū guǎn jiāng yú míng nián kāi fàng。
The new library will open next year.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 将
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 计划、估计、及时、即使、将. Which expression introduces an even-if condition, and which can mark a future action?
Check and learn
计划 is plan, 估计 estimate, 及时 in time, 即使 even if, and 将 can mark a future action. 即使 does not prove its condition occurred; 将 does not mark completion.
Try a new context
即使下雨，我们也将按计划出发。
Does the sentence say it is already raining, and will the plan continue if it rains?
Compare your interpretation
It does not say rain has already occurred. It says the group will leave as planned even if it rains.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, cover the models and recall each selected word. Recheck a pair you confused, then interpret the new sentence again. If practising handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and note one missing or misplaced feature.
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.