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 8 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.
43. Health words without guesswork
Recognise words for a doctor, a hospital and everyday activities.
医
Learn the shape and a useful word
An enclosing 匚 covers 矢 from above, the left and below. Compare with 囗, which closes on all four sides.
医生 · yī shēng
doctor
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 医
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.
院
Learn the shape and a useful word
阝 on the left and 完 on the right. Compare the left-side position with the right-side 阝 in 那.
医院 · yī yuàn
hospital
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 院
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.
病
Learn the shape and a useful word
疒 covers 丙 from above and the left. Notice the small side strokes of the covering part.
生病 · shēng bìng
become ill; be ill
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 病
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.
脑
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 on the left and a right-hand part with a dot above a crossed shape inside an open-top enclosure.
电脑 · diàn nǎo
computer
脑 names the brain in other uses. 电脑 is the whole word for computer, not a phrase to translate character by character.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 脑
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.
觉
Learn the shape and a useful word
Small top strokes and a covering part sit above 见. Compare with 学, whose lower part is 子.
睡觉 · shuì jiào
sleep
觉 is jiào in 睡觉. In some other words it is jué; learn the reading with the word.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 觉
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 医生 and 医院. Which word names a person? What lower part distinguishes 觉 from 学?
Check and learn
医生 yī shēng names a doctor; 医院 yī yuàn names a hospital. 觉 has 见 below its upper part; 学 has 子. 睡觉 shuì jiào means sleep.
44. Rest and everyday activities
Recognise an action word and compare 亻, 目 and 王 on the left.
睡
Learn the shape and a useful word
目 on the left and 垂 on the right. The left enclosure has two inner horizontal strokes, unlike 日.
睡觉 · shuì jiào
sleep
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 睡
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.
休
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 木 on the right. Compare the right-hand 木 with 本; do not add 本's extra short lower stroke.
休息 · xiū xi
rest; take a break
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 休
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.
息
Learn the shape and a useful word
自 above 心. Notice the small top stroke above the upper enclosure.
休息 · xiū xi
rest; take a break
息 is neutral xi in 休息, though its citation reading is xī.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 息
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.
玩
Learn the shape and a useful word
王 on the left and 元 on the right. Compare its left part with the 亻 in 休.
玩 · wán
play; have fun
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 玩
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.
找
Learn the shape and a useful word
扌 on the left and 戈 on the right. Notice the long slanting hooked stroke and small upper-right stroke on the right.
找 · zhǎo
look for; seek
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 找
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 make 休息? Does 找 mean look for or see?
Check and learn
休 and 息 make 休息 xiū xi, rest. 找 zhǎo means look for; it does not itself say that you found or saw the thing. 玩 wán means play or have fun.
45. Feelings and descriptions
Learn a descriptive word inside its expression and notice 心 in two positions.
喜
Learn the shape and a useful word
士 sits above a stacked middle with boxes and small strokes, ending in a lower 口. Compare the complete model rather than remembering only the bottom box.
喜欢 · xǐ huan
like; be fond of
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 喜
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.
想
Learn the shape and a useful word
相 is above 心; 相 contains 木 beside 目. Compare the upper parts before recalling the lower 心.
想 · xiǎng
want to; think; miss someone, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 想
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.
兴
Learn the shape and a useful word
Three small upper strokes sit above a horizontal line and two separated lower strokes.
高兴 · gāo xìng
happy; pleased
兴 is xìng in 高兴. Some other words use xīng.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 兴
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.
太
Learn the shape and a useful word
大 with an extra small dot below the crossing. Keep the dot when comparing 太 with 大.
太大 · tài dà
too big; very big, depending on context
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 太
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.
常
Learn the shape and a useful word
A small upper part and covering stroke sit above 口 and 巾. Compare the bottom with the 子 in 学.
经常 · jīng cháng
often
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 常
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 adds a dot to 大? Read 喜欢 and 高兴.
Check and learn
太 adds a dot to 大. 喜欢 xǐ huan means like; 高兴 gāo xìng means happy or pleased. 想 has 心 below 相. A word's meaning comes from its use, not simply from the presence of 心.
46. Animals and their counting words
Distinguish two similar animal characters and recognise a written pronoun.
狗
Learn the shape and a useful word
犭 on the left and 句 on the right. Notice the 口 inside the right-hand wrapping part.
狗 · gǒu
dog
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 狗
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.
猫
Learn the shape and a useful word
犭 on the left and 苗 on the right. The right side has 艹 above 田.
猫 · māo
cat
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 猫
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.
它
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 above 匕. Compare this pronoun with 他 and 她, which have a different structure.
它 · tā
it, usually for an animal or thing
它 sounds like 他 and 她. The written forms distinguish them; sound alone does not tell you which form was written.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 它
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.
只
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 above two separated lower strokes. Compare with 六, whose upper part is a dot and horizontal line.
一只猫 · yì zhī māo
one cat
只 is zhī as a classifier here. It is zhǐ when it means only.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 只
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.
条
Learn the shape and a useful word
夂 above 木. Compare the upper part with the 卜 and 日 above 木 in 桌.
一条鱼 · yì tiáo yú
one fish
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 条
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 animal characters share 犭? What is the reading of 只 in 一只猫?
Check and learn
狗 gǒu and 猫 māo share 犭. 只 is zhī in 一只猫 yì zhī māo, one cat. 一条鱼 yì tiáo yú means one fish. 它 tā is a written pronoun for an animal or thing.
47. Appearance and weather
Read a whole descriptive word and distinguish two related weather shapes.
漂
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 on the left and 票 on the right. Compare its right side with the 又 in 汉.
漂亮 · piào liang
pretty; beautiful
漂 is piào in 漂亮. It can be piāo or piǎo in other words.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 14 strokes · write 漂
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.
亮
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal line sit above 口, a covering part and a 几-like lower part.
漂亮 · piào liang
pretty; beautiful
亮 is neutral liang in 漂亮. In some other words it has the full-tone reading liàng.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 亮
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.
雨
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top sits above an enclosure with a central vertical and four inner dots. Count the inner dots when comparing 雨 with other enclosures.
下雨 · xià yǔ
rain; be raining
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 雨
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.
雪
Learn the shape and a useful word
雨 above a 彐-shaped lower part. Keep the added lower part when distinguishing 雪 from 雨 alone.
下雪 · xià xuě
snow; be snowing
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 雪
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.
气
Learn the shape and a useful word
Short upper strokes sit above a long bent hooked stroke. Compare its complete outline with 飞.
天气 · tiān qì
weather
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 气
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 下雨 and 下雪. Which character contains 雨 as its upper part? How is 漂 read in 漂亮?
Check and learn
雪 contains 雨 above its lower part. 下雨 xià yǔ means be raining; 下雪 xià xuě means be snowing. 漂 is piào in 漂亮 piào liang, pretty or beautiful.
48. Read a complete descriptive expression
Notice a character's selected use and avoid copying that meaning into every compound.
样
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 羊 on the right. Compare the right part with the 不 in 杯.
怎么样 · zěn me yàng
how; how is it; what is it like
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 样
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.
些
Learn the shape and a useful word
此 above 二. Notice the two lower horizontal lines and keep the separate upper part when recalling the shape.
一些 · yì xiē
some; a few
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 些
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.
宜
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 above 且. Compare with 姐, which places 女 beside 且 rather than above it.
便宜 · pián yi
inexpensive; cheap
宜 is neutral yi in 便宜. Learn the full word rather than assigning this neutral reading to every 宜.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 宜
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.
正
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top sits above 止. Compare the lower upright arrangement with 上.
正在 · zhèng zài
currently doing something; in the process of
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 正
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.
真
Learn the shape and a useful word
十 above an upright enclosed middle and two separated lower strokes. Look for the inner horizontal lines in the middle part.
真好 · zhēn hǎo
really good
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 真
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 一些 and 便宜. Which phrase means some? Which character has 宀 above 且?
Check and learn
一些 yì xiē means some or a few. 便宜 pián yi means inexpensive, and 宜 has 宀 above 且. 真好 zhēn hǎo means really good; 怎么样 zěn me yàng asks how something is.
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.