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 28 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
163. A person, a competition, a mirror and an exact answer
Contrast similar middle sections without guessing a whole word from its sound.
警
Learn the shape and a useful word
敬 sits above 言. Compare the full lower 言 with the single 口 inside some other characters.
交警
Show word reading and meaning
jiāojǐng
traffic police officer
交警 is a traffic police officer. It names a person or role rather than a road sign.
Read a sentence
交警正在路口指挥交通。
Show sentence reading and meaning
jiāo jǐng zhèng zài lù kǒu zhǐ huī jiāo tōng。
The traffic police officer is directing traffic at the junction.
Learn the 19 strokes · write 警
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.
竞
Learn the shape and a useful word
立 is above 口 and two lower spreading strokes. Compare its middle 口 with 日 in 竟.
竞争
Show word reading and meaning
jìngzhēng
compete; competition between people or organisations
竞争 means compete or competition. The word does not state who wins.
Read a sentence
这次比赛的竞争很激烈。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè cì bǐ sài de jìng zhēng hěn jī liè。
The competition in this contest is fierce.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 竞
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.
镜
Learn the shape and a useful word
钅 stands on the left of 竟. Keep the metal-side strokes; the full character is not 竟 alone.
镜子
Show word reading and meaning
jìngzi
mirror
镜子 is mirror. Similar sounds do not make 镜子, 竞争 and 竟然 interchangeable.
Read a sentence
门口有一面镜子。
Show sentence reading and meaning
mén kǒu yǒu yí miàn jìng zi。
There is a mirror at the entrance.
Learn the 16 strokes · write 镜
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.
究
Learn the shape and a useful word
穴 sits above 九. Compare with 空, whose lower part is 工.
究竟
Show word reading and meaning
jiūjìng
actually; exactly; asks for the real answer with emphasis
究竟 can ask for the actual or exact situation with emphasis. It does not provide the answer itself.
Read a sentence
你究竟为什么没来？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ jiū jìng wèi shén me méi lái？
Why exactly did you not come?
Learn the 7 strokes · write 究
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.
龄
Learn the shape and a useful word
齿 stands on the left of 令. Compare with 领, which has 令 on the left and 页 on the right.
年龄
Show word reading and meaning
niánlíng
age; how old someone is
年龄 is age, how old someone is. The word does not identify an age without additional information.
Read a sentence
请在表格里填写年龄。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng zài biǎo gé lǐ tián xiě nián líng。
Please enter your age on the form.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 龄
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 traffic police, competition, mirror, asking for the exact situation and age. Which target adds 钅 to 竟?
Check and learn
交警 is traffic police, 竞争 competition, 镜子 mirror, 究竟 asks for the exact situation, and 年龄 is age. 镜 adds 钅 beside 竟; that difference changes the character and word.
Try a new context
这场竞争究竟谁赢了？我还不知道。
Does the speaker identify a winner?
Compare your interpretation
No. The speaker asks who won and says they do not yet know. 竞争 names the contest, while 究竟 adds emphasis to the question.
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.
164. Refusal, distance, furniture and a programme
Use the whole word to distinguish similar left-hand parts and sounds.
拒
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 stands on the left of 巨. Compare with 距, which has 足 on the left.
拒绝
Show word reading and meaning
jùjué
refuse; reject an offer or request
拒绝 means refuse or reject. The word does not automatically describe the reason for a refusal.
Read a sentence
他礼貌地拒绝了邀请。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā lǐ mào de jù jué le yāo qǐng。
He politely declined the invitation.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 拒
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.
绝
Learn the shape and a useful word
纟 stands on the left of 色. Compare with 色 alone, keeping the thread-side strokes.
拒绝
Show word reading and meaning
jùjué
refuse; reject an offer or request
绝 is the second character of 拒绝. This pair studies two different target shapes inside one word.
Read a sentence
他礼貌地拒绝了邀请。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā lǐ mào de jù jué le yāo qǐng。
He politely declined the invitation.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 绝
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.
距
Learn the shape and a useful word
足 stands beside 巨. Compare directly with 拒, whose left side is 扌.
距离
Show word reading and meaning
jùlí
distance; be a certain distance from
距离 means distance or being a certain distance from something. It does not mean refusing a request.
Read a sentence
我家距离学校两公里。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ jiā jù lí xué xiào liǎng gōng lǐ。
My home is two kilometres from school.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 距
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.
具
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the framed upper section, broad lower horizontal and two separate lower strokes. Compare with 贝, whose upper and lower arrangement differs.
家具
Show word reading and meaning
jiājù
furniture
家具 means furniture. The whole word names objects; it is not a description of how far away they are.
Read a sentence
这间屋子的家具不多。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè jiān wū zi de jiā jù bù duō。
There is not much furniture in this room.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 具
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.
剧
Learn the shape and a useful word
居 stands to the left of 刂. Compare with 居 alone and keep the right-hand strokes.
电视剧
Show word reading and meaning
diànshìjù
television drama; TV series
电视剧 means a television drama or series. The full word is not the furniture used to watch it.
Read a sentence
这部电视剧很有意思。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè bù diàn shì jù hěn yǒu yì si。
This TV series is interesting.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 剧
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 refusing, distance, furniture and a television drama. Which two targets form the refusal word, and how do 拒 and 距 differ?
Check and learn
拒绝 means refuse, with targets 拒 and 绝. 距离 is distance, 家具 furniture and 电视剧 television drama. 拒 has 扌 and 距 has 足 at the left of 巨.
Try a new context
他拒绝搬那件家具，因为距离太远。
What was refused, and what reason is given?
Compare your interpretation
He refused to move that item of furniture because the distance was too great. 拒绝 reports the decision; 距离 supplies the stated reason.
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.
165. Taste, heat and thickness
Read the particular property before applying a description to an object.
烤
Learn the shape and a useful word
火 stands on the left of 考. Compare with 考 alone and keep the fire-side strokes.
烤
Show word reading and meaning
kǎo
bake; roast; grill
烤 can mean bake, roast or grill according to what is cooked and how. The word alone does not specify an appliance.
Read a sentence
厨房里正在烤面包。
Show sentence reading and meaning
chú fáng lǐ zhèng zài kǎo miàn bāo。
Bread is baking in the kitchen.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 烤
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.
苦
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 covers 古. Compare with 古 alone and with 姑, which puts 女 on the left.
苦
Show word reading and meaning
kǔ
bitter, about a taste; also hardship in other uses
苦 means bitter in the taste example. It can describe hardship in other words or situations.
Read a sentence
这杯咖啡有点儿苦。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè bēi kā fēi yǒu diǎnr kǔ。
This coffee tastes a little bitter.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 苦
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.
辣
Learn the shape and a useful word
辛 is on the left and 束 on the right. Compare the complete two-part form with 辛 alone.
辣
Show word reading and meaning
là
spicy; hot, about food
辣 is spicy or hot in taste. It differs from the temperature word 热.
Read a sentence
这个菜有点儿辣。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge cài yǒu diǎnr là。
This dish is a little spicy.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 辣
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.
汗
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 is on the left of 干. Compare with 江, whose right side is 工.
汗
Show word reading and meaning
hàn
sweat
汗 means sweat. A word example does not identify why a person is sweating in every situation.
Read a sentence
跑完步以后，我出了很多汗。
Show sentence reading and meaning
pǎo wán bù yǐ hòu， wǒ chū le hěn duō hàn。
I sweated a lot after running.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 汗
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.
厚
Learn the shape and a useful word
厂 covers 日 and 子 in a stacked arrangement. Compare its interior with 居, which contains 古 under 尸.
厚
Show word reading and meaning
hòu
thick; having a large distance between its surfaces
厚 describes thickness between surfaces, such as the thickness of a book or coat. It does not simply mean tall.
Read a sentence
这本书比那本厚。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè běn shū bǐ nà běn hòu。
This book is thicker than that one.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 厚
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 roasting or baking, bitter, spicy, sweat and thick. Does 辣 describe temperature in the same way as 热?
Check and learn
烤 is roast or bake, 苦 bitter, 辣 spicy, 汗 sweat and 厚 thick. 辣 describes spicy taste; 热 describes temperature in the contrast taught here.
Try a new context
汤已经不热了，但是还很辣。
Has the spicy taste disappeared just because the soup is no longer hot?
Compare your interpretation
No. The soup is no longer hot in temperature but is still spicy. 不热 and 还很辣 describe different properties.
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.
166. Learning, ability and an example
Keep a qualification, fluent performance and encouragement separate.
科
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 is beside 斗. Compare with 料, which has 米 rather than 禾 on the left.
本科
Show word reading and meaning
běnkē
undergraduate degree study
本科 means undergraduate degree study. The complete word identifies the study level rather than a particular subject by itself.
Read a sentence
她正在读本科。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā zhèng zài dú běn kē。
She is studying for an undergraduate degree.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 科
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.
利
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 stands to the left of 刂. Compare with 科, whose right-hand part is 斗.
流利
Show word reading and meaning
liúlì
fluent; smooth in speaking a language
流利 means fluent or smooth in speaking a language. It does not establish accuracy in every detail.
Read a sentence
她汉语说得很流利。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā hàn yǔ shuō de hěn liú lì。
She speaks Chinese fluently.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 利
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.
厉
Learn the shape and a useful word
厂 covers 万. Compare with 历, which has 力 underneath its cover.
厉害
Show word reading and meaning
lìhai
impressive; highly capable; also severe in other contexts
厉害 can mean impressive or highly capable, and can describe severity in other contexts. Read what is being described.
Read a sentence
她汉语说得很流利，真厉害！
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā hàn yǔ shuō de hěn liú lì， zhēn lì hai！
Her Chinese is so fluent; she is really impressive!
Learn the 5 strokes · write 厉
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.
励
Learn the shape and a useful word
厉 stands on the left of 力. Compare with 厉 alone and keep the extra right-hand part.
鼓励
Show word reading and meaning
gǔlì
encourage
鼓励 means encourage. It is not the same as judging that someone has already mastered a skill.
Read a sentence
老师鼓励我们多开口说汉语。
Show sentence reading and meaning
lǎo shī gǔ lì wǒ men duō kāi kǒu shuō hàn yǔ。
The teacher encourages us to speak Chinese more often.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 励
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.
例
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 stands on the left of 列. Compare with 列 alone and with 俐, whose right side is 利.
举例
Show word reading and meaning
jǔlì
give an example
举例 means give an example. An example illustrates a point; it does not by itself prove a statement is universal.
Read a sentence
你能举例说明这个词的用法吗？
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ néng jǔ lì shuō míng zhè ge cí de yòng fǎ ma？
Could you give an example to show how this word is used?
Learn the 8 strokes · write 例
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 undergraduate study, fluent speech, impressive ability or severity, encouragement and giving an example. Which word adds 力 beside 厉?
Check and learn
本科 is undergraduate study, 流利 fluent, 厉害 impressive or severe, 鼓励 encourage, and 举例 give an example. 励 adds 力 beside 厉 and appears in 鼓励.
Try a new context
老师鼓励我举例说明，不要求我说得很快。
What does the teacher encourage, and is fast speech the stated requirement?
Compare your interpretation
The teacher encourages explaining with examples. Speaking very fast is not the stated requirement. Speed alone is not what the sentence asks for.
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.
167. A whole word can have a different job
Recognise the character but use the full expression to identify meaning.
何
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 stands on the left of 可. Compare with 河, which has 氵 beside 可.
任何
Show word reading and meaning
rènhé
any; whichever, without restricting the choice
任何 means any or whichever without restricting the choice. 何 alone has other uses; learn this whole expression.
Read a sentence
你可以选择任何一本书。
Show sentence reading and meaning
nǐ kě yǐ xuǎn zé rèn hé yī běn shū。
You can choose any book.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 何
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.
忽
Learn the shape and a useful word
勿 sits above 心. Compare with 易, which has 日 above 勿 instead.
忽然
Show word reading and meaning
hūrán
suddenly
忽然 means suddenly. It does not itself say whether the event was good or bad.
Read a sentence
外面忽然刮起了大风。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wài miàn hū rán guā qǐ le dà fēng。
A strong wind suddenly started blowing outside.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 忽
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.
虎
Learn the shape and a useful word
虍 covers the lower spreading, hooked strokes. Compare with 虑, whose lower part is 心.
老虎
Show word reading and meaning
lǎohǔ
tiger
老虎 means tiger. 老 is part of the ordinary animal word here; it does not necessarily say the tiger is old.
Read a sentence
我们在动物园看到了老虎。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men zài dòng wù yuán kàn dào le lǎo hǔ。
We saw tigers at the zoo.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 虎
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.
户
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the dot above the framed, sloping lower shape. Compare with 尸, whose upper form differs.
窗户
Show word reading and meaning
chuānghu
window
窗户 means window. The final hu is neutral in the selected whole-word reading.
Read a sentence
请打开窗户。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng dǎ kāi chuāng hu。
Please open the window.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 户
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.
盒
Learn the shape and a useful word
合 sits above 皿. Compare with 合 alone and keep the wide lower base.
盒子
Show word reading and meaning
hézi
box; a small container
盒子 is a box or small container. It differs from 袋子, a bag, in the earlier examples.
Read a sentence
饼干在那个盒子里。
Show sentence reading and meaning
bǐng gān zài nà ge hé zi lǐ。
The biscuits are in that box.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 盒
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 any, suddenly, tiger, window and box. Does 老虎 necessarily identify an elderly animal?
Check and learn
任何 is any, 忽然 suddenly, 老虎 tiger, 窗户 window and 盒子 box. 老虎 is the ordinary animal word and does not necessarily identify an old tiger.
Try a new context
任何人都可以从窗户看见那只老虎。
Does the sentence restrict the view to one particular person, or describe the tiger's age?
Compare your interpretation
No. 任何人 means anyone in the stated situation. 老虎 names the tiger; its age is not given.
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.
168. News, a situation and another option
Identify what is known and what is only a proposed next step.
贺
Learn the shape and a useful word
加 sits above 贝. Compare with 货, which has 化 above 贝.
祝贺
Show word reading and meaning
zhùhè
congratulate someone on an achievement or happy event
祝贺 means congratulate someone on an achievement or happy event. It differs from simply hoping an event will happen.
Read a sentence
祝贺你顺利毕业！
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhù hè nǐ shùn lì bì yè！
Congratulations on graduating successfully!
Learn the 9 strokes · write 贺
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.
况
Learn the shape and a useful word
冫 is on the left of 兄. Compare with 祝, whose left part is 礻.
情况
Show word reading and meaning
qíngkuàng
situation; circumstances
情况 means situation or circumstances. The word needs the surrounding information to describe a particular case.
Read a sentence
请先介绍一下这里的情况。
Show sentence reading and meaning
qǐng xiān jiè shào yí xià zhè lǐ de qíng kuàng。
Please tell us a little about the situation here first.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 况
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.
聚
Learn the shape and a useful word
取 is above a lower cluster of several downward strokes. Keep the full lower arrangement rather than replacing it with 木.
聚
Show word reading and meaning
jù
gather; get together
聚 means gather or get together. The sentence tells you who gathers and when.
Read a sentence
周末我们在朋友家聚一聚。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhōu mò wǒ men zài péng you jiā jù yī jù。
We will get together at a friend's home this weekend.
Learn the 14 strokes · write 聚
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.
键
Learn the shape and a useful word
钅 stands to the left of 建. Compare with 健, which has 亻 at the left.
关键
Show word reading and meaning
guānjiàn
key point; something crucial
关键 means a key point or something crucial. It does not mean a physical keyboard in this selected word.
Read a sentence
听懂问题是回答的关键。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tīng dǒng wèn tí shì huí dá de guān jiàn。
Understanding the question is the key to answering it.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 键
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.
另
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 sits above 力. Compare with 别, which adds 刂 to a related left-hand shape.
另
Show word reading and meaning
lìng
another; separately, often in written expressions
另 can mean another or separately, often in written expressions. It directs attention to a different option or arrangement.
Read a sentence
我选了另一本书。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ xuǎn le lìng yī běn shū。
I chose another book.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 另
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 congratulating, a situation, gathering, a key point and another or separate arrangement. Which word names something crucial?
Check and learn
祝贺 is congratulate, 情况 situation, 聚 gather, 关键 a crucial point, and 另 another or separately. 关键 names what matters most in the context, not a physical keyboard here.
Try a new context
关键是先了解情况，另找时间聚一聚。
What should be done first, and is gathering required immediately?
Compare your interpretation
The key first step is to understand the situation. Gathering is proposed for another time, not necessarily immediately.
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.