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.
This sequence is arranged for learning, not by syllabus level. It teaches 375 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 3 of 13. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; linked word examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
13. Link ideas and people
Learn useful sentence-building words without assigning one English translation to every use.
是
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 is above a lower part with a horizontal line and spreading bottom strokes. Keep the upper box separate from the lower part.
是 · shì
be, when identifying someone or something
我是学生 means I am a student. Chinese does not use 是 before every adjective merely because English uses am or is.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 是
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.
也
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the long bent hooked stroke, a central vertical stroke and a lower turning hooked stroke. Find the narrower 也 on the right of 他 and 她.
也 · yě
also; too
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 也
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.
和
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 on the left and 口 on the right. Compare its arrangement with 叫, whose box is on the left.
我和你 · wǒ hé nǐ
you and I
和 joins the two pronouns here. English and between complete sentences is not automatically translated with 和.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 和
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.
同
Learn the shape and a useful word
An enclosure open along the bottom contains a short horizontal stroke above 口. Compare the inside with 国.
同学 · tóng xué
classmate; fellow student
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 同
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.
会
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 人-like top sits above 云. Keep the lower turning part when distinguishing it from 人 or 个.
会 · huì
can, through a learned skill, in the selected use
我会说汉语 means I can speak Chinese. 会 also has other uses, such as indicating a likely future event.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 会
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 我是学生。她也是学生。 What does 也 add to the second sentence?
Check and learn
Wǒ shì xué sheng. Tā yě shì xué sheng. “I am a student. She is also a student.” 也 adds also; it does not replace 是.
14. Move and point
Notice left-hand parts while reading words about location and movement.
来
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top and central vertical line pass through small upper-side strokes and spreading lower strokes. Contrast the full outline with 木.
来 · lái
come
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 来
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.
去
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 above 厶. The bottom turns rather than spreading like the lower strokes of 来.
去 · qù
go
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 去
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.
在
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top and sloping stroke sit over a vertical left part and 土 on the lower right.
在家 · zài jiā
at home
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 在
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.
这
Learn the shape and a useful word
文 combines with the surrounding movement part 辶. Check that the inner part is 文 rather than the 力 in 边.
这里 · zhè lǐ
here
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 这
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.
那
Learn the shape and a useful word
A compact left-hand part sits beside 阝 on the right. Its right side differs from the surrounding 辶 of 这.
那里 · nà lǐ
there
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 那
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 phrase means here, 这里 or 那里? Read 在家 and explain its meaning.
Check and learn
这里 zhè lǐ means here; 那里 nà lǐ means there. 在家 zài jiā means at home. 来 lái means come; 去 qù means go.
15. Time words
Read a useful time word before inspecting its component shapes.
年
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping top stroke sits above several horizontal strokes, with a central vertical stroke extending down. Do not substitute the crossing of 十.
今年 · jīn nián
this year
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 年
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.
时
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 on the left and 寸 on the right. Notice the small dot in the right-hand part.
时间 · shí jiān
time
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 时
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.
午
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping top stroke, two horizontal strokes and a central vertical stroke. Compare with 牛, whose central vertical line extends above the upper horizontal line.
中午 · zhōng wǔ
noon; midday
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 午
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.
今
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 人-like top sits above a small dot and a turning lower stroke. Compare with 会, which has a different lower part.
今天 · jīn tiān
today
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 今
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.
后
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two upper sloping strokes cover a short horizontal line and 口 below. Compare its box with the one in 名.
后面 · hòu miàn
behind; at the back
后 can refer to position or time in different words. 后面 here is a position word, not a translation of every use of 后.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 后
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 今天 and 今年. Which second character changes day to year?
Check and learn
今天 jīn tiān is today; 今年 jīn nián is this year. Changing 天 to 年 changes day to year in these words. 中午 zhōng wǔ means noon.
16. Learn and work
Check small differences in strokes and learn a selected reading from its word.
工
Learn the shape and a useful word
A vertical line joins the centres of two horizontal lines. Unlike 土, it does not continue below the lower line.
工作 · gōng zuò
work; job
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 工
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.
习
Learn the shape and a useful word
A large turning hooked stroke surrounds two short inner strokes. This simplified character differs from traditional 習.
学习 · xué xí
study; learn
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 习
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.
写
Learn the shape and a useful word
A covering 冖 is above 与. Compare the top with the dotted roof 宀 in 字.
写字 · xiě zì
write characters
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 写
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.
生
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping stroke at the upper left, horizontal lines and a long central vertical stroke. Compare with 年 by checking the top and the arrangement of lines.
学生 · xué sheng
student
生 is neutral sheng in 学生, though its citation reading is shēng.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 生
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.
长
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the top sloping stroke, the horizontal crossing and the long lower strokes in this simplified shape.
长 · cháng
long
长 is cháng for long. In words about growing or seniority, it can be zhǎng. A shape alone does not choose the reading.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 长
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 two characters together form 学习? Read 写字 and 工作.
Check and learn
学 and 习 form 学习 xué xí, study or learn. 写字 xiě zì means write characters; 工作 gōng zuò means work or job. 长 cháng means long in the selected use.
17. Inside, beside and below
Use a known whole character to notice a repeated component in a new one.
间
Learn the shape and a useful word
门 surrounds 日. Check the inner line in 日, which distinguishes it from the empty box of 口.
时间 · shí jiān
time
间 is jiān in 时间. Other words can use jiàn; keep their readings separate.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 间
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.
家
Learn the shape and a useful word
A roof-like 宀 sits above 豕. Notice the long strokes in the lower part without turning the component into an English definition of 家.
家 · jiā
home; family
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 家
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.
现
Learn the shape and a useful word
王 on the left and 见 on the right. Compare the right-hand part with a printed 见 model.
现在 · xiàn zài
now
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 现
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.
分
Learn the shape and a useful word
八 above 刀. Keep the upper separated strokes distinct from the lower hooked part.
分 · fēn
minute, in the selected use
十分 can mean very in another use. Learn the context rather than assigning minute to every word containing 分.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 分
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.
地
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 on the left and 也 on the right. Compare with 他 and 她, which have the same right-hand part but different left sides.
地方 · dì fang
place
地 is dì in 地方, place. As an adverb marker it is neutral de, as in 慢慢地. These are different uses.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 地
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 character encloses 日 inside 门? Which character shares 也 with 他 but has 土 on the left?
Check and learn
间 encloses 日 inside 门. 地 shares 也 with 他 and has 土 on the left. 时间 shí jiān means time; 地方 dì fang means place.
18. Follow the movement part
Distinguish characters that share a surrounding part by checking what is inside it.
过
Learn the shape and a useful word
寸 combines with the surrounding movement part 辶. Notice the dot in 寸.
过 · guo
experience marker after a verb, in the selected use
我去过中国 means I have been to China. This neutral guo differs from guò in other uses, such as passing a place.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 过
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.
还
Learn the shape and a useful word
不 combines with 辶. Compare the inner 不 with the inner 寸 in 过.
还有 · hái yǒu
also have; there is also
还 is hái here. The reading huán is used in words about returning something, such as 还书.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 还
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.
边
Learn the shape and a useful word
力 combines with 辶. Compare the inner part with the 文 in 这.
旁边 · páng biān
beside; next to
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 边
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.
作
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 乍 on the right. Check the right-hand part against 你 and 他.
工作 · gōng zuò
work; job
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 作
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.
打
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 on the left and 丁 on the right. The narrow left-hand part differs from 亻 in 作.
打电话 · dǎ diàn huà
make a phone call
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 打
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 three characters in this group share 辶? What inner part distinguishes 还 from 过?
Check and learn
过, 还 and 边 share 辶. 还 has 不 inside; 过 has 寸. 还有 hái yǒu means also have or there is also; 打电话 dǎ diàn huà means make a phone call.
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.