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 1 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.
1. Numbers and position
Notice how the number and position of lines change the character.
一
Learn the shape and a useful word
One horizontal line. Keep it distinct from the two lines of 二.
一天 · yì tiān
one day
The citation reading of 一 is yī. Before first-tone 天, it is usually pronounced yì in ordinary speech.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 1 stroke · write 一
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.
二
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal lines, with the lower line longer in the usual printed form.
二月 · èr yuè
February; the second month
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 2 strokes · write 二
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.
三
Learn the shape and a useful word
Three horizontal lines. Count all three rather than guessing from the outline.
三天 · sān tiān
three days
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 三
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.
十
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal line crossed by a vertical line. This is ten, not a plus sign inside a word.
十年 · shí nián
ten years
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 2 strokes · write 十
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.
上
Learn the shape and a useful word
A long horizontal base below the vertical line and its shorter horizontal line. Contrast the position with 下.
上面 · shàng miàn
above; on top
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 上
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 means two in 二月, and which character means ten in 十年?
Check and learn
二 means two, and 十 means ten. Say èr yuè and shí nián, then point to each character without looking at this answer.
2. Similar outlines, different words
Look at where strokes meet and which extra stroke changes the shape.
人
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two sloping strokes meet near the top. Compare 人 with 大, which has an extra horizontal stroke.
人 · rén
person
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 2 strokes · write 人
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.
大
Learn the shape and a useful word
The 人-like outline has a horizontal stroke across it. Keep that stroke when recalling the shape.
大人 · dà ren
adult
人 has a neutral syllable in this everyday word. This is a word reading, rather than two separately pronounced character names.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 大
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.
小
Learn the shape and a useful word
A central vertical hook with a small stroke on either side. It is not a smaller drawing of 大.
小 · xiǎo
small
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 小
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.
天
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal strokes above the spreading lower strokes. Compare with 大, which has only one horizontal stroke.
今天 · jīn tiān
today
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 天
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.
不
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top with a central downward stroke and strokes spreading to either side. Notice how this differs from 小.
不好 · bù hǎo
not good
不 is bù here. Before a fourth-tone syllable it is usually bú, as in 不是 bú shì.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 不
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: Find the extra horizontal stroke that distinguishes 天 from 大. Then read 大人 and 今天.
Check and learn
天 has two horizontal strokes; 大 has one. 大人 is dà ren, adult; 今天 is jīn tiān, today.
3. Enclosures and their insides
Check what is inside a shape and whether a stroke passes through it.
口
Learn the shape and a useful word
A small box shape with an empty inside. In handwriting the box uses three strokes, not four separately drawn sides.
门口 · mén kǒu
doorway; entrance area
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 口
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.
日
Learn the shape and a useful word
A box shape with a horizontal stroke inside. Compare it directly with empty 口.
日子 · rì zi
day; days in someone's life
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 日
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.
月
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two short horizontal strokes inside an upright shape whose left side is not the square side of 日. Compare a printed model carefully.
月 · yuè
month; moon
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 月
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.
中
Learn the shape and a useful word
The central vertical stroke passes through the box, extending above and below it.
中文 · zhōng wén
Chinese, especially the written language
中 is zhōng in 中文. Other words can use a different reading; learn the whole word.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 中
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.
下
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top with a vertical line and a short stroke below it. Compare with 上, whose long horizontal line is at the bottom.
下面 · xià miàn
below; underneath
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 下
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 an empty inside, 口 or 日? What passes through the box in 中?
Check and learn
口 is empty; 日 has an inner horizontal stroke. In 中, a vertical stroke passes through the box. Read 门口 mén kǒu and 中文 zhōng wén.
4. Notice shapes in useful words
Recall a character inside a whole word instead of guessing meaning from its outline.
木
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal and vertical crossing with two lower spreading strokes. Compare with 大; 木 keeps a central vertical stroke.
木头 · mù tou
wood; a piece of wood
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 木
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.
山
Learn the shape and a useful word
Three upright parts joined at the bottom, with the middle one tallest in the usual printed form.
山 · shān
mountain
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 山
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.
水
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the central vertical hook and the separate strokes on both sides. Compare the whole outline with 小.
水 · shuǐ
water
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 水
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.
火
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two small upper side strokes and two longer spreading strokes below. Check this shape against 人 before recalling it.
火车 · huǒ chē
train
火 means fire in some words, but 火车 is the word for train. Do not translate every character separately to guess the word.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 火
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.
有
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the top strokes above a 月-like lower part. Keep the whole character distinct from 月 alone.
有 · yǒu
have; there is or there are
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 有
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 火车. Does translating its two characters separately give the normal English word?
Check and learn
火车 huǒ chē means train. Learn that whole-word meaning. A component or character clue can help memory, but it does not replace learning the word.
5. Recurring parts
Notice a repeated part while keeping each complete character distinct.
女
Learn the shape and a useful word
The crossing lower strokes and long horizontal stroke make a shape that differs from 人. Compare with the narrower 女 on the left of 好.
女生 · nǚ shēng
female student; girl
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 女
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.
子
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper turning stroke, central vertical hook, and horizontal stroke. Compare this complete shape with 子 at the bottom of 字.
孩子 · hái zi
child
子 is neutral zi in 孩子, even though the character's citation reading is zǐ.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 子
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.
好
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 is on the left and 子 is on the right. The parts are narrower than the same characters written separately.
好 · hǎo
good
This is a useful shape analysis, not a historical story about why the character means good. 好 also has other readings in other words.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 好
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.
字
Learn the shape and a useful word
A roof-like 宀 above 子. Compare with 子 alone and notice the extra top part.
汉字 · hàn zì
Chinese character; Chinese characters
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 字
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.
学
Learn the shape and a useful word
Three small top strokes, a covering part, and 子 below. Its top is different from the top of 字.
学生 · xué sheng
student
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 学
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 in this group contain 子 below an upper part? Which one has 女 on the left?
Check and learn
字 and 学 have 子 below an upper part. 好 has 女 on the left and 子 on the right. Read 汉字 hàn zì and 学生 xué sheng.
6. People and a short message
Distinguish similar pronouns and read a small message with familiar words.
你
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrow 亻 on the left, with 尔 on the right. Compare the right-hand part with 他.
你 · nǐ
you
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 你
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.
他
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 也 on the right. The right-hand part differs from 你, even though the left-hand part matches.
他 · tā
he; him
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 他
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.
她
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 on the left and the same 也 found in 他 on the right. Check the left-hand part to distinguish the two pronouns.
她 · tā
she; her
他 and 她 sound identical in Mandarin. The written characters distinguish them; listening alone does not identify which one was written.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 她
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.
我
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dense shape with a long slanting hooked stroke and a small upper-right stroke. Compare with a printed model rather than reducing it to 人.
我 · wǒ
I; me
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 我
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.
书
Learn the shape and a useful word
Notice the central vertical stroke, the turning strokes, and the small upper-right stroke. This simplified shape differs considerably from traditional 書.
书 · shū
book
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 书
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Read 我有书。她有书。 Which pronoun changes, and how does the second sentence differ in meaning?
Check and learn
Wǒ yǒu shū. Tā yǒu shū. “I have a book / books. She has a book / books.” 我 changes to 她. Chinese does not mark singular or plural on 书 here; context tells you how many.
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.