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 4 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.
19. Compare and describe
Read a descriptive phrase and avoid equating a character with one fixed English grammar word.
多
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two 夕 shapes, one above the other. Compare with 名, which has 夕 above 口.
很多 · hěn duō
many; much
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 多
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.
少
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 小-like upper part has an additional sloping stroke below it. Keep that stroke when comparing 少 with 小.
少 · shǎo
few; little
少 is shǎo here. It is shào in words such as 少年, young person.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 少
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.
对
Learn the shape and a useful word
又 on the left and 寸 on the right. Check the dot in 寸 when comparing the complete character with 汉.
对 · duì
correct; right, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 对
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.
比
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two upright side-by-side parts, each with a lower turn. Compare their different upper strokes rather than treating them as identical copies.
比 · bǐ
comparison marker, like than in the selected pattern
我比他高 means I am taller than him. 比 belongs to a comparison pattern; it does not replace every English use of than.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 比
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.
很
Learn the shape and a useful word
彳 on the left and 艮 on the right. The left has an extra upper sloping stroke compared with 亻.
很好 · hěn hǎo
good; very good, depending on context
很 is often unstressed in a simple adjective statement. It does not always express the strong emphasis of English very.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 很
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 differs from 小 by an extra lower sloping stroke? Read 很多 and 很好.
Check and learn
少 has the extra lower sloping stroke. 很多 hěn duō means many or much; 很好 hěn hǎo means good or very good, depending on context. Pinyin keeps the citation tone in hěn even when its spoken tone changes before hǎo.
20. Choose a useful small word
Recognise common short words and learn their sentence use alongside the shape.
没
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 on the left and 殳 on the right. Compare its right-hand part with the 又 of 汉.
没有 · méi yǒu
do not have; there is not
没 is méi here. Other words, such as 淹没, use mò.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 没
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.
要
Learn the shape and a useful word
覀 sits above 女. Keep the upper part when comparing this shape with 女 alone.
要 · yào
want; need, in selected everyday uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 要
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.
可
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top, a small 口 and a right-hand vertical hook. Compare this shape with the repeated parts of 哥.
可以 · kě yǐ
can; may, often for permission or possibility
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 可
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.
以
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the separated left turning stroke and dot, with the larger right-hand strokes. Read it as the second character of 可以 before recalling the shape alone.
可以 · kě yǐ
can; may, often for permission or possibility
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 以
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.
为
Learn the shape and a useful word
A turning hooked stroke contains small strokes around it. Compare with a model of 力 to notice the additional strokes.
因为 · yīn wèi
because
为 is wèi in 因为. It can be wéi in other words; learn each reading from its own word and use.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 为
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 没有 and 可以. Which phrase describes not having something, and which often expresses permission?
Check and learn
没有 méi yǒu describes not having something or something not existing. 可以 kě yǐ often expresses permission or possibility. 因为 yīn wèi means because.
21. Review everyday messages
Apply shape recognition to short expressions you can use immediately.
爱
Learn the shape and a useful word
爫 and 冖 sit above 友 in this simplified shape. Compare with a printed model; a memory story is not evidence of its history.
爱 · ài
love; like very much
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 爱
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.
茶
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 sits above a 人-like middle and a lower part with a vertical hook and side strokes. Check the full lower shape against 木.
茶 · chá
tea
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 茶
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.
点
Learn the shape and a useful word
占 is above four small lower strokes 灬. Notice the box in the upper part and count the lower marks.
三点 · sān diǎn
three o'clock
点 has other uses. In 三点 it gives the hour; in 一点 it can also mean a little when the context is not time.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 点
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.
了
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper turning stroke and a lower vertical hook. Compare with 子, which has an extra horizontal stroke.
了 · le
particle used for a completed action or a changed situation, depending on its position
了 is neutral le as a particle. It is not simply an English past-tense ending. Other words can use liǎo.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 2 strokes · write 了
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.
岁
Learn the shape and a useful word
山 above 夕. Compare the lower part with the 口 at the bottom of 名.
五岁 · wǔ suì
five years old
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 岁
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 三点 and 五岁. Which phrase gives a time, and which gives an age? What extra stroke changes 了 into 子?
Check and learn
三点 sān diǎn gives the time three o'clock. 五岁 wǔ suì gives the age five years old. 子 has an extra horizontal stroke compared with 了.
22. Food and drink
Recognise common food words and distinguish a repeated left-hand box.
吃
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 乞 on the right. Check the right-hand part rather than reading every character with 口 as the same word.
吃饭 · chī fàn
eat; have a meal
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 吃
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.
喝
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and the more complex 曷 on the right, with 日 near the top of that part.
喝水 · hē shuǐ
drink water
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 喝
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.
饭
Learn the shape and a useful word
饣 on the left and 反 on the right. The narrow left-hand part differs from 口 in 吃.
饭 · fàn
cooked rice; a meal
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 饭
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.
米
Learn the shape and a useful word
A central crossing with small upper strokes and spreading lower strokes. Compare with 木, which lacks the small upper strokes.
米饭 · mǐ fàn
cooked rice
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 米
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.
菜
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 above 采. The lower part includes small upper strokes above 木.
菜 · cài
vegetable; dish served as food
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 菜
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 have 口 on the left? Read 吃饭 and 喝水.
Check and learn
吃 and 喝 have 口 on the left. 吃饭 chī fàn means eat or have a meal; 喝水 hē shuǐ means drink water. 米饭 mǐ fàn specifically names cooked rice.
23. Read the whole food word
Notice repeated word parts without translating a compound character by character.
蛋
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper 疋-shaped part sits above 虫. Notice the small dot at the lower right of 虫.
鸡蛋 · jī dàn
chicken egg; egg
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 蛋
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.
奶
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 on the left and 乃 on the right. Compare its right-hand bend with the 马 in 妈.
牛奶 · niú nǎi
milk
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 奶
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.
鸡
Learn the shape and a useful word
又 on the left and 鸟 on the right. Notice the small dot inside the bird-shaped right part.
鸡 · jī
chicken
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 鸡
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.
牛
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping stroke and two horizontal lines are crossed by a vertical stroke that reaches above the upper horizontal. Compare with 午.
牛奶 · niú nǎi
milk
牛 names a cow in other uses. 牛奶 is the useful whole word for milk here.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 牛
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.
果
Learn the shape and a useful word
An enclosed upper part with a crossing sits above 木; the central vertical continues through the shape.
水果 · shuǐ guǒ
fruit
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 果
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 牛奶 and 鸡蛋. Which character is shared by 牛奶 and 奶?
Check and learn
牛奶 niú nǎi means milk; 鸡蛋 jī dàn means egg. 奶 is the shared character. 水果 shuǐ guǒ means fruit; learn its whole-word meaning.
24. Objects and their counting words
Distinguish a word naming an object from a word used to count it.
苹
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 above 平. Compare with 菜 by checking the lower part, not only the matching top.
苹果 · píng guǒ
apple
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 苹
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.
杯
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 不 on the right. Look for the narrowed 木 shape you also see in other object words.
杯子 · bēi zi
cup; glass used for drinking
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 杯
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.
本
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 with an extra short horizontal stroke near the bottom of its central vertical. Keep that extra stroke when comparing 本 with 木.
一本书 · yì běn shū
one book
本 is a classifier for books here. It has other uses, such as in 本来; do not transfer this counting meaning to every word.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 本
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.
包
Learn the shape and a useful word
勹 wraps around 巳. Check the turning inner shape rather than treating the inside as an empty box.
包 · bāo
bag, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 包
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.
件
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 牛 on the right. Compare its left-hand part with the 木 in 杯.
一件衣服 · yí jiàn yī fu
one item of clothing
件 is the classifier in this phrase. 一 is normally yí before the fourth-tone classifier 件.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 件
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 counts a book, 一本书 or 一件衣服? What extra stroke distinguishes 本 from 木?
Check and learn
一本书 yì běn shū counts one book; 一件衣服 yí jiàn yī fu counts one item of clothing. 本 has an extra short horizontal stroke near the bottom of 木's central vertical.
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.