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 9 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.
49. Activities and communication
Recognise useful words while checking 口, 日 and a long lower hook.
唱
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 昌 on the right. The right part contains two 日 shapes stacked vertically.
唱歌 · chàng gē
sing; sing a song
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 唱
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.
歌
Learn the shape and a useful word
哥 on the left and 欠 on the right. Keep the right part when distinguishing 歌 from 哥.
歌 · gē
song
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 14 strokes · write 歌
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.
电
Learn the shape and a useful word
A boxed crossing has a long central stroke that turns into a hook below it. Compare with 田, whose central stroke stays inside the enclosure.
电话 · diàn huà
telephone; phone call
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 电
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.
面
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top and short sloping stroke sit above an enclosure with an upright inner shape and horizontal lines.
见面 · jiàn miàn
meet in person
面 has other uses, including in food and position words. 见面 is a whole-word expression for meeting someone.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 面
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.
手
Learn the shape and a useful word
Short upper strokes and a horizontal crossing sit above a long central vertical hook. Compare the upper strokes with the single short sloping stroke above 千.
手机 · shǒu jī
mobile phone; cell phone
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 手
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: What extra part changes 哥 into 歌? Read 唱歌 and 手机.
Check and learn
歌 adds 欠 to the right of 哥. 唱歌 chàng gē means sing; 手机 shǒu jī means mobile phone. 见面 jiàn miàn means meet in person, and 电话 diàn huà means telephone or phone call.
50. Learn the familiar word before its parts
Keep a useful whole-word meaning even when a component seems suggestive.
超
Learn the shape and a useful word
走 on the left and below, with 召 at the upper right. Compare the outer part with the simpler 辶 in 过.
超市 · chāo shì
supermarket
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 超
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.
非
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two central uprights have short horizontal strokes extending outward on both sides. Compare the two halves before recalling the whole shape.
非常 · fēi cháng
very; extremely
非常 is an intensifying word here. Do not translate it by separately guessing the meaning of 非 and 常.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 非
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.
见
Learn the shape and a useful word
A top enclosure sits above two lower strokes, including a hooked one on the right. Compare with 贝, whose lower strokes have a different shape.
见面 · jiàn miàn
meet in person
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 见
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.
老
Learn the shape and a useful word
A crossed upper part with a sloping stroke sits above 匕. Look for the same lower part in 它, where it is under a roof.
老师 · lǎo shī
teacher
老 means old in some uses, but 老师 is the ordinary word for teacher. It does not say the teacher is elderly.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 老
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.
起
Learn the shape and a useful word
走 on the left and below, with 己 at the upper right. Compare the inner part with the 召 in 超.
起床 · qǐ chuáng
get up; get out of bed
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 起
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 老师 and 起床. Does 老师 tell you that the teacher is elderly? Which outer part do 起 and 超 share?
Check and learn
老师 lǎo shī means teacher without saying the teacher is elderly. 起床 qǐ chuáng means get up. 起 and 超 share 走 on the left and below; their upper-right parts differ.
51. Read a small exchange
Bring the learned shapes together in useful expressions and distinguish sound-alike actions.
系
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short upper sloping stroke sits above a 糸-shaped lower part with a central hook and small side strokes.
没关系 · méi guān xi
that's okay; it doesn't matter
系 is neutral xi in 没关系, a reassuring response to an apology or a small problem. Other words have other readings, including xì or jì.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 系
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.
新
Learn the shape and a useful word
A complex left part with a 木-like lower section stands beside 斤 on the right. Compare the right part with 听.
新 · xīn
new
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 新
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.
再
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top sits above an enclosing shape crossed by a central vertical and lower horizontal line. Compare the complete model with 在 rather than using sound alone.
再见 · zài jiàn
goodbye; see you again
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 再
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.
知
Learn the shape and a useful word
矢 on the left and 口 on the right. Compare its left part with the 矢 inside 医.
知道 · zhī dào
know information; know that something is so
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 知
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.
坐
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two small 人-like shapes sit above 土. Keep the two upper shapes when comparing 坐 with 土 alone.
请坐 · qǐng zuò
please sit down
坐 and 做 both sound zuò, but 坐 is the sit character in 请坐. Learn the written word with its use.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 坐
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 请坐。谢谢。再见。 Which character gives the action sit, and how does it differ from 做?
Check and learn
Qǐng zuò. Xiè xie. Zài jiàn. “Please sit down. Thank you. Goodbye.” 坐 gives the action sit; it has two 人-like upper shapes above 土. 做 has 亻, 古 and 攵, and is used in words such as 做饭, cook a meal.
52. Help and give something to someone
Recognise familiar actions and compare two narrow left-hand parts.
帮
Learn the shape and a useful word
邦 above 巾. Notice the upright strokes and right-side 阝 in the upper part.
帮 · bāng
help
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 帮
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.
让
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 上 on the right. Compare the right part with the 人 in 认.
让 · ràng
let; allow; ask someone to do something, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 让
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.
送
Learn the shape and a useful word
A 关-like part sits inside the surrounding movement part 辶. Compare the inside with the 不 in 还.
送 · sòng
deliver; take someone somewhere; give as a present, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 送
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.
拿
Learn the shape and a useful word
合 above 手. Compare the lower 手 with its standalone shape in 手机.
拿 · ná
take; hold
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 拿
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.
跟
Learn the shape and a useful word
足 is narrowed on the left, with 艮 on the right. Compare its left part with the 彳 in 很.
跟 · gēn
with; follow, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 跟
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 has 手 below 合? Read 帮 and 拿, then compare the left parts of 跟 and 很.
Check and learn
拿 ná has 手 below 合 and means take or hold. 帮 bāng means help. 跟 gēn has 足 on the left; 很 has 彳. Their similar right parts do not make them the same word.
53. Move from one place to another
Read movement and distance words without confusing a shared surrounding part.
从
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two 人 shapes stand side by side. Compare with 坐, where the two 人-like shapes are above 土.
从 · cóng
from; starting at, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 从
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.
进
Learn the shape and a useful word
井 inside 辶. Compare the inner shape with 开 before checking the surrounding part.
进去 · jìn qù
go in
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 进
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.
近
Learn the shape and a useful word
斤 inside 辶. Compare the inner 斤 with the one on the right of 听.
近 · jìn
near; close
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 近
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.
远
Learn the shape and a useful word
元 inside 辶. Compare with 近 by checking the whole inner part.
远 · yuǎn
far; distant
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 远
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.
离
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal top sit above a crossed upper enclosure and a separate lower enclosing part. Compare carefully with a printed model.
离开 · lí kāi
leave; go away from
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 离
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 近 and 远. Which means near? What inner parts distinguish 进 and 近?
Check and learn
近 jìn means near; 远 yuǎn means far. 进 contains 井, while 近 contains 斤. 进去 jìn qù means go in, and 离开 lí kāi means leave.
54. Find your way
Distinguish left and right, then read actions involving the same foot-side shape.
左
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper horizontal and sloping stroke cover 工. Compare its lower part with the 口 in 右.
左边 · zuǒ bian
left; the left side
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 左
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.
右
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper horizontal and sloping stroke cover 口. Compare with 左, which has 工 below.
右边 · yòu bian
right; the right side
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 右
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.
走
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 above a lower part with upright and spreading strokes. Look for this complete shape around the left and bottom of 起.
走 · zǒu
walk; leave, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 走
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.
路
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrowed 足 on the left and 各 on the right. Compare the right part with the one below 宀 in 客.
路 · lù
road; route
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 路
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.
站
Learn the shape and a useful word
立 on the left and 占 on the right. Compare 占 with the upper part of 点.
车站 · chē zhàn
station; bus or railway station, according to context
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 站
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: What lower parts distinguish 左 and 右? Read 左边 and 右边.
Check and learn
左 has 工 below its upper strokes; 右 has 口. 左边 zuǒ bian means the left side; 右边 yòu bian means the right side. 车站 chē zhàn means station.
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.