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 56 of 65. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; sentence examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
331. A call, a trace and two similar feelings
Distinguish 狠 hěn from 恨 hèn and avoid inventing a cause from a trace.
嘿
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 stands beside 黑. Keep the lower 灬 within 黑.
嘿
Show word reading and meaning
hēi
hey; an informal call to get attention
嘿 hēi is an informal call for attention in the selected entry.
Read a sentence
嘿，你的书忘在桌子上了！
Show sentence reading and meaning
hēi， nǐ de shū wàng zài zhuō zi shàng le！
Hey, you left your book on the desk!
Learn the 15 strokes · write 嘿
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.
痕
Learn the shape and a useful word
疒 covers 艮. Compare the same 艮 beside 犭 in 狠 and 忄 in 恨.
痕迹
Show word reading and meaning
hénjì
trace; a mark left by something
痕迹 is a trace or mark left behind; a trace may need interpretation before its cause is known.
Read a sentence
桌子上还留着杯子的痕迹。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhuō zi shàng hái liú zhe bēi zi de hén jì。
The mark left by the cup is still on the table.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 痕
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.
狠
Learn the shape and a useful word
犭 stands beside 艮. Compare 恨 and its 忄 on the left.
狠
Show word reading and meaning
hěn
fierce; ruthless or hard-hearted
狠 hěn describes fierceness or ruthlessness. It is not 很 hěn, the common degree word.
Read a sentence
这只狗看起来很凶狠。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhī gǒu kàn qǐ lái hěn xiōng hěn。
This dog looks fierce.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 狠
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.
恨
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 stands beside 艮. Compare the left side with 犭 in 狠.
恨
Show word reading and meaning
hèn
hate; feel strong dislike or resentment
恨 hèn means hate or strong resentment; note the different tone from 狠 hěn.
Read a sentence
故事里的主人公恨战争。
Show sentence reading and meaning
gù shi lǐ de zhǔ rén gōng hèn zhàn zhēng。
The main character in the story hates war.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 恨
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.
横
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 stands beside 黄. Compare the complete 黄 with its separate form.
横
Show word reading and meaning
héng
horizontal; across rather than upright
横 is héng for horizontal or across here. This does not establish one reading for every use.
Read a sentence
这个字的第一笔是横。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge zì de dì yī bǐ shì héng。
The first stroke of this character is a horizontal stroke.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 横
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 the five selected words. Compare 狠, 恨 and 很. Which selected word names a remaining mark?
Check and learn
Words: 嘿 hēi — hey; an informal call to get attention; 痕迹 hénjì — trace; a mark left by something; 狠 hěn — fierce; ruthless or hard-hearted; 恨 hèn — hate; feel strong dislike or resentment; 横 héng — horizontal; across rather than upright. 狠 hěn is fierce/ruthless, 恨 hèn hate and 很 hěn a degree word. 痕迹 is a trace; 横 héng is horizontal/across. Different left sides and tones matter.
Try a new context
故事里他恨战争，不是恨某一个人。
What is the object of hatred, and which character fits that meaning? Use 战争 (zhànzhēng), war.
Compare your interpretation
He hates war, rather than one particular person. 恨 hèn is the required character; 狠 hěn would describe ruthlessness and would not express the stated hating action.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
332. Scale, a rainbow and fiction
Distinguish an imagined setting from factual reporting.
宏
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 covers a left sloping part and lower 厶. Compare the enclosed lower part with 友.
宏大
Show word reading and meaning
hóngdà
grand; impressive in scale
宏大 means grand or impressive in scale, not merely physically tall.
Read a sentence
这部电影的场景很宏大。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè bù diàn yǐng de chǎng jǐng hěn hóng dà。
The scenes in this film are grand in scale.
Learn the 7 strokes · write 宏
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.
虹
Learn the shape and a useful word
虫 stands beside 工. Compare the same left 虫 in 蜂 and its more complex right side.
彩虹
Show word reading and meaning
cǎihóng
rainbow
彩虹 is a rainbow. The written 虫 is a recognition clue, not a claim that it is an animal.
Read a sentence
雨停以后，天空中出现了一道彩虹。
Show sentence reading and meaning
yǔ tíng yǐ hòu， tiān kōng zhōng chū xiàn le yí dào cǎi hóng。
A rainbow appeared in the sky after the rain stopped.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 虹
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.
洪
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 stands beside 共. Compare the whole 共 with its separate form and with the upper part of 港.
洪水
Show word reading and meaning
hóngshuǐ
flood; a large amount of water overflowing onto land
洪水 is floodwater overflowing onto land, not every small amount of river water.
Read a sentence
洪水过后，村民们开始清理家园。
Show sentence reading and meaning
hóng shuǐ guò hòu， cūn mín men kāi shǐ qīng lǐ jiā yuán。
After the flood, the villagers began cleaning up their homes.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 洪
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.
壶
Learn the shape and a useful word
士 sits above a cap and a broad 业-like lower part. Compare the top 士 with 土.
壶
Show word reading and meaning
hú
pot; a container used for pouring liquids
壶 names a pouring container such as a pot; context identifies its contents.
Read a sentence
我泡了一壶茶。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ pào le yī hú chá。
I made a pot of tea.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 壶
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.
幻
Learn the shape and a useful word
幺 stands beside one turning and hooking stroke. Compare 幼 and its lower-right 力.
科幻
Show word reading and meaning
kēhuàn
science fiction
科幻 means science fiction. Its imagined events are not presented as ordinary factual reporting.
Read a sentence
我最近读了一本科幻小说。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ zuì jìn dú le yī běn kē huàn xiǎo shuō。
I recently read a science-fiction novel.
Learn the 4 strokes · write 幻
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 the five selected words. Which selected word names science fiction, and how does 毫 differ from 豪?
Check and learn
Words: 宏大 hóngdà — grand; impressive in scale; 彩虹 cǎihóng — rainbow; 洪水 hóngshuǐ — flood; a large amount of water overflowing onto land; 壶 hú — pot; a container used for pouring liquids; 科幻 kēhuàn — science fiction. 科幻 names science fiction. 宏大 is grand in scale, 彩虹 rainbow, 洪水 flood and 壶 a pouring pot. 豪 appears in 自豪, whereas 毫 appears in 毫无.
Try a new context
这本科幻小说描写了洪水后的城市，但那是作者想象的场景。
Is the city scene being presented as a verified report of a real flood? Use 想象 (xiǎngxiàng), imagine.
Compare your interpretation
No. It is an imagined scene in a science-fiction novel. 科幻 and 作者想象 explicitly set the fictional frame; the presence of 洪水 does not make it a factual news report.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
333. A patient, a ruler and a mixed colour
Distinguish mixing elements from clearing up uncertainty.
患
Learn the shape and a useful word
串 sits above 心. Compare the complete 串 with the added lower 心.
患者
Show word reading and meaning
huànzhě
patient; a person with an illness receiving care
患者 is a patient receiving care; it is a person word, not a diagnosis.
Read a sentence
护士耐心地回答了患者的问题。
Show sentence reading and meaning
hù shi nài xīn de huí dá le huàn zhě de wèn tí。
The nurse patiently answered the patient's questions.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 患
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.
皇
Learn the shape and a useful word
白 sits above 王. Compare 呈, which has 口 above 王.
皇帝
Show word reading and meaning
huángdì
emperor
皇帝 is the same selected whole word used for 帝, meaning emperor.
Read a sentence
这部历史小说讲述了一位皇帝的故事。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè bù lì shǐ xiǎo shuō jiǎng shù le yī wèi huáng dì de gù shi。
This historical novel tells the story of an emperor.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 皇
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.
绘
Learn the shape and a useful word
纟 stands beside 会. Compare the complete 会 with its form written separately.
绘画
Show word reading and meaning
huìhuà
drawing and painting as an art
绘画 is drawing and painting as an art, rather than every kind of printed image.
Read a sentence
他从小就喜欢绘画。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā cóng xiǎo jiù xǐ huan huì huà。
He has loved drawing and painting since childhood.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 绘
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.
混
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 stands beside 昆. Compare the right side with the same 日-over-比 structure in 棍.
混合
Show word reading and meaning
hùnhé
mix; blend separate substances or elements
混合 uses 混 hùn for mixing. The sentence identifies the substances or elements combined.
Read a sentence
把这两种颜色混合，就会得到新的颜色。
Show sentence reading and meaning
bǎ zhè liǎng zhǒng yán sè hùn hé， jiù huì dé dào xīn de yán sè。
Mixing these two colors produces a new color.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 混
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.
惑
Learn the shape and a useful word
或 sits above 心. Keep the lower 心 when comparing with 或 alone.
疑惑
Show word reading and meaning
yíhuò
puzzled; uncertainty about something not understood
疑惑 describes being puzzled or uncertain; it does not mean the uncertain belief is necessarily false.
Read a sentence
我对这个解释还有些疑惑。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ duì zhè ge jiě shì hái yǒu xiē yí huò。
I am still a little puzzled by this explanation.
Learn the 12 strokes · write 惑
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 the five selected words. What do 混合 and 疑惑 describe?
Check and learn
Words: 患者 huànzhě — patient; a person with an illness receiving care; 皇帝 huángdì — emperor; 绘画 huìhuà — drawing and painting as an art; 混合 hùnhé — mix; blend separate substances or elements; 疑惑 yíhuò — puzzled; uncertainty about something not understood. 混合 hùnhé is mixing; 疑惑 is puzzlement/uncertainty. 患者 is a patient, 皇帝 emperor and 绘画 drawing/painting.
Try a new context
她把两种颜色混合后，对结果仍有疑惑。
Did producing a mixture necessarily resolve her uncertainty? Use 结果 (jiéguǒ), result.
Compare your interpretation
No. The colours have been mixed, but she remains puzzled by the result. 混合 describes the action on the colours; 疑惑 describes her unresolved understanding.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
334. Impact, hunger and a good-fortune design
Distinguish a symbol associated with good fortune from a guarantee.
击
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontals cross a central vertical that continues into a lower open-topped frame. Compare 出 and its different arrangement.
冲击
Show word reading and meaning
chōngjī
impact; hit with force or strongly affect
冲击 can be a physical impact or a strong effect; context determines which.
Read a sentence
海浪不断冲击着岸边的岩石。
Show sentence reading and meaning
hǎi làng bú duàn chōng jī zhe àn biān de yán shí。
The waves keep pounding the rocks by the shore.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 击
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.
饥
Learn the shape and a useful word
饣 stands beside 几. Compare the right side with 凡 and its extra dot.
饥饿
Show word reading and meaning
jī’è
hunger; hungry
饥饿 means hunger or being hungry. The apostrophe in jī’è separates the syllables before è.
Read a sentence
长时间没有吃饭会让人感到饥饿。
Show sentence reading and meaning
cháng shí jiān méi yǒu chī fàn huì ràng rén gǎn dào jī è。
Going a long time without eating makes people feel hungry.
Learn the 5 strokes · write 饥
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.
吉
Learn the shape and a useful word
士 sits above 口. Compare the upper 士 with 土 in other characters.
吉祥
Show word reading and meaning
jíxiáng
auspicious; associated with good fortune
吉祥 means associated with good fortune, not a guarantee of an outcome.
Read a sentence
人们用吉祥的图案装饰新年贺卡。
Show sentence reading and meaning
rén men yòng jí xiáng de tú àn zhuāng shì xīn nián hè kǎ。
People decorate New Year cards with designs associated with good fortune.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 吉
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.
寂
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 covers 叔. Compare the whole 叔 with the upper part of 督.
寂寞
Show word reading and meaning
jìmò
lonely; loneliness
寂寞 means loneliness or feeling lonely, not just a quiet room.
Read a sentence
刚搬到这里时，我有点寂寞。
Show sentence reading and meaning
gāng bān dào zhè lǐ shí， wǒ yǒu diǎn jì mò。
I felt a little lonely when I first moved here.
Learn the 11 strokes · write 寂
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.
夹
Learn the shape and a useful word
A central crossing shape has two short upper side strokes and spreading lower strokes. Compare the printed model with 夫.
夹
Show word reading and meaning
jiā
to grip or pick up between two things
夹 is jiā for gripping between two things in this entry; other uses may differ.
Read a sentence
她用筷子夹起一块豆腐。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā yòng kuài zi jiā qǐ yī kuài dòu fu。
She picked up a piece of tofu with her chopsticks.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 夹
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 the five selected words. What do 饥饿 and 吉祥 describe? How is 夹 read in its selected use?
Check and learn
Words: 冲击 chōngjī — impact; hit with force or strongly affect; 饥饿 jī’è — hunger; hungry; 吉祥 jíxiáng — auspicious; associated with good fortune; 寂寞 jìmò — lonely; loneliness; 夹 jiā — to grip or pick up between two things. 饥饿 jī’è means hunger; 吉祥 means associated with good fortune. 夹 jiā grips between two things. 冲击 is impact and 寂寞 loneliness.
Try a new context
贺卡上的图案寓意吉祥，不表示考试一定成功。
Does the card establish a guaranteed exam result? Use 寓意 (yùyì), suggest symbolically.
Compare your interpretation
No. The design conveys a good-fortune meaning, but explicitly does not guarantee exam success. 吉祥 describes the association, not evidence of future performance.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
335. Marriage, crops and monitoring
Distinguish regular monitoring from the availability of a particular result.
嫁
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 stands beside 家. Compare 稼, whose left side is 禾.
嫁
Show word reading and meaning
jià
to marry; traditionally used for a woman marrying someone
嫁 traditionally describes a woman marrying someone. 结婚 is the more general whole word for get married.
Read a sentence
她姐姐去年嫁给了大学同学。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā jiě jie qù nián jià gěi le dà xué tóng xué。
Her older sister married a university classmate last year.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 嫁
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.
稼
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 stands beside 家. Compare the left side with 女 in 嫁.
庄稼
Show word reading and meaning
zhuāngjia
crops; cultivated plants in the fields
庄稼 means crops, with neutral jia in this selected word.
Read a sentence
雨后，田里的庄稼长得很好。
Show sentence reading and meaning
yǔ hòu， tián lǐ de zhuāng jia zhǎng de hěn hǎo。
The crops in the fields are growing well after the rain.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 稼
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.
尖
Learn the shape and a useful word
小 sits above 大. Compare the size and position of both parts with the complete model.
尖
Show word reading and meaning
jiān
pointed; having a sharp tip
尖 means pointed or having a sharp tip, not necessarily intelligent as a person description.
Read a sentence
这支铅笔的笔尖很尖。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhī qiān bǐ de bǐ jiān hěn jiān。
The tip of this pencil is very sharp.
Learn the 6 strokes · write 尖
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.
肩
Learn the shape and a useful word
户 sits above 月. Compare the upper 户 with 尸 and its different top.
肩膀
Show word reading and meaning
jiānbǎng
shoulder
肩膀 jiānbǎng means shoulder. Compare it with 手臂, arm, when locating the body part.
Read a sentence
这个背包太重，压得我的肩膀很疼。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè ge bēi bāo tài zhòng， yā de wǒ de jiān bǎng hěn téng。
This backpack is so heavy that it makes my shoulders hurt.
Learn the 8 strokes · write 肩
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.
监
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two narrow upper-left strokes and short upper-right strokes sit above 皿. Compare the bottom with 金 in 鉴.
监测
Show word reading and meaning
jiāncè
to monitor through observation or measurement
监 is jiān in 监测, monitoring through observation or measurement.
Read a sentence
工作人员每天监测河水的质量。
Show sentence reading and meaning
gōng zuò rén yuán měi tiān jiān cè hé shuǐ de zhì liàng。
The staff monitor the river's water quality every day.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 监
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 the five selected words. Compare 嫁 and 稼. What does 监测 involve?
Check and learn
Words: 嫁 jià — to marry; traditionally used for a woman marrying someone; 庄稼 zhuāngjia — crops; cultivated plants in the fields; 尖 jiān — pointed; having a sharp tip; 肩膀 jiānbǎng — shoulder; 监测 jiāncè — to monitor through observation or measurement. 嫁 has 女 and concerns a woman marrying in its selected use; 稼 has 禾 and appears in 庄稼. 监测 jiāncè is monitoring by observation/measurement. 尖 is pointed and 肩膀 shoulder.
Try a new context
工作人员每天监测河水，但今天的结果还没出来。
Have today's results been reported just because monitoring is done daily? Use 结果出来 (jiéguǒ chūlái), results become available.
Compare your interpretation
No. Daily monitoring is the regular activity, while today's results are still unavailable. 监测 describes gathering evidence; the frequency does not establish a particular result.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
336. Part-time work, a sword and an arrow
Distinguish two homophones and learning from copying.
兼
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two short upper strokes sit above a dense central section, with two spreading lower strokes. Compare the complete model with the simpler 兰.
兼职
Show word reading and meaning
jiānzhí
part-time work; to work part-time
兼职 is part-time work, rather than a claim that all work has stopped.
Read a sentence
她周末在书店做兼职。
Show sentence reading and meaning
tā zhōu mò zài shū diàn zuò jiān zhí。
She works part-time at a bookshop on weekends.
Learn the 10 strokes · write 兼
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.
剑
Learn the shape and a useful word
佥 stands beside 刂. Compare the left-hand 佥 with the right side of 检.
剑
Show word reading and meaning
jiàn
sword; a blade typically straight and double-edged
剑 is a sword. 箭 jiàn is an arrow, a different character and object.
Read a sentence
博物馆里展出了一把古代的剑。
Show sentence reading and meaning
bó wù guǎn lǐ zhǎn chū le yī bǎ gǔ dài de jiàn。
An ancient sword is on display in the museum.
Learn the 9 strokes · write 剑
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.
鉴
Learn the shape and a useful word
The upper strokes resemble the top of 监, with 金 below. Compare the different lower parts.
借鉴
Show word reading and meaning
jièjiàn
to learn from and draw on someone else's experience
借鉴 means learn from another's experience, not necessarily copy it unchanged.
Read a sentence
我们可以借鉴其他学校的经验。
Show sentence reading and meaning
wǒ men kě yǐ jiè jiàn qí tā xué xiào de jīng yàn。
We can learn from other schools' experience.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 鉴
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.
箭
Learn the shape and a useful word
A bamboo top sits above 前. Compare the lower 前 with its separate form.
箭
Show word reading and meaning
jiàn
arrow
箭 is an arrow, not the sword 剑, despite the shared reading jiàn.
Read a sentence
这支箭射中了目标。
Show sentence reading and meaning
zhè zhī jiàn shè zhòng le mù biāo。
This arrow hit the target.
Learn the 15 strokes · write 箭
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.
酱
Learn the shape and a useful word
Upper left-side strokes and 夕 sit above 酉. Keep the lower 酉 distinct from 西.
酱油
Show word reading and meaning
jiàngyóu
soy sauce
酱油 is soy sauce; it does not name every kind of sauce.
Read a sentence
炒菜时，他加了一点酱油。
Show sentence reading and meaning
chǎo cài shí， tā jiā le yì diǎn jiàng yóu。
He added a little soy sauce while stir-frying.
Learn the 13 strokes · write 酱
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 the five selected words. Compare 剑 and 箭, and what does 借鉴 mean?
Check and learn
Words: 兼职 jiānzhí — part-time work; to work part-time; 剑 jiàn — sword; a blade typically straight and double-edged; 借鉴 jièjiàn — to learn from and draw on someone else's experience; 箭 jiàn — arrow; 酱油 jiàngyóu — soy sauce. 剑 is a sword, with 刂; 箭 is an arrow, with a bamboo top. Both are jiàn. 借鉴 means learn from others' experience; 兼职 is part-time work and 酱油 soy sauce.
Try a new context
我借鉴了别人的方法，但按自己的情况作了修改。
Was the method copied without change? Use 情况 (qíngkuàng), circumstances.
Compare your interpretation
No. The speaker learned from another method and then adapted it to their own circumstances. 借鉴 permits drawing on experience; it does not require identical copying.
This is a comparison model for self-review, not an automatic mark.
Tomorrow, mix these five words with a previous group. Close all help, recall each word and meaning, explain one shape or reading contrast, and interpret the new context again. Reopen the model after trying. For handwriting, compare a memory attempt with the stroke model and choose one detail to improve.
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.