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 5 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.
25. A room and its furniture
Recognise a useful room word and compare characters with 木 in different positions.
房
Learn the shape and a useful word
户 is above 方. Compare the upper part with the dotted roof 宀 in 家.
房间 · fáng jiān
room
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 房
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.
床
Learn the shape and a useful word
广 covers 木 from above and the left. Unlike 杯, 木 is underneath a covering part rather than on the left.
床 · chuáng
bed
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 床
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.
桌
Learn the shape and a useful word
A small 卜-shaped top is above 日 and 木. Compare the lower 木 with the one in 床.
桌子 · zhuō zi
table; desk
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 桌
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.
椅
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 奇 on the right. The right side includes 大 above 可.
椅子 · yǐ zi
chair
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 椅
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.
里
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper enclosed shape with a crossing joins lower horizontal lines along a central vertical. Compare with 果, whose lower strokes spread outward.
房间里 · fáng jiān lǐ
inside the room
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 里
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 房间里 and 椅子. Which character places the room phrase inside rather than outside?
Check and learn
里 lǐ gives the meaning inside in 房间里 fáng jiān lǐ. 椅子 yǐ zi is chair; 桌子 zhuō zi is table or desk. Notice 木 on the left of 椅 and at the bottom of 桌.
26. Clothes and a place to live
Recognise clothing words and distinguish similar left-hand parts.
穿
Learn the shape and a useful word
穴 is above 牙. Notice the lower vertical hook and sloping stroke when comparing the full shape with 家.
穿衣服 · chuān yī fu
wear clothes; put clothes on
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 穿
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.
衣
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal line sit above a lower shape with long sloping strokes and a turning hook.
衣服 · yī fu
clothes; clothing
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 衣
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.
服
Learn the shape and a useful word
月 on the left, with an upright turning part above 又 on the right. It differs from 明, which has 月 on the right.
衣服 · yī fu
clothes; clothing
服 has a neutral fu syllable in this everyday word. Other words can use the full-tone reading fú.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 服
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.
住
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 主 on the right. 主 has a dot above a 王-like crossing.
住 · zhù
live; stay, in the selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 住
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.
租
Learn the shape and a useful word
禾 on the left and 且 on the right. Compare with 姐, which has the same right part but 女 on the left.
租房 · zū fáng
rent housing; rent a room or home
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 租
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 form 衣服? Which character shares 且 with 姐 but has 禾 on the left?
Check and learn
衣 and 服 form 衣服 yī fu, clothing. 租 shares 且 with 姐 and has 禾 on the left. 租房 zū fáng means rent housing; 穿衣服 chuān yī fu means wear clothes or put them on.
27. Enter, leave and return
Compare the inside of enclosures and read simple movement words.
出
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two open-top enclosing parts are stacked along a central vertical stroke. Compare with 山, which has only one lower joining line.
出去 · chū qù
go out
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 出
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.
到
Learn the shape and a useful word
至 on the left and 刂, a narrow two-stroke upright part, on the right.
到 · dào
arrive; reach
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 到
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.
开
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal lines with two downward strokes beneath the lower one. Compare with 井, whose uprights extend across both horizontals.
开门 · kāi mén
open the door
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 开
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.
关
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two small upper strokes sit above a 天-like lower shape. Keep the small upper strokes when distinguishing 关 from 天.
关门 · guān mén
close the door
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 关
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.
回
Learn the shape and a useful word
An outer enclosure surrounds a smaller 口. Compare with 国, which has a different inner part.
回家 · huí jiā
go home; return home
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 回
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 开门 and 关门. Which action opens the door? How does 回 differ from an empty 口?
Check and learn
开门 kāi mén opens the door; 关门 guān mén closes it. 回 has an extra outer enclosure around 口. 回家 huí jiā means go or return home.
28. Travel words and a doorway
Read useful compounds and notice parts repeated from earlier groups.
车
Learn the shape and a useful word
Horizontal strokes cross a long central vertical, with a turning stroke on the left. Compare with the simpler crossing of 十.
火车 · huǒ chē
train
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 车
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.
飞
Learn the shape and a useful word
A long bent hooked stroke has two small strokes on its upper-right side. It is not the same shape as 九.
飞机 · fēi jī
aeroplane; airplane
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 飞
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.
机
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 几 on the right. Compare the right part with the 不 in 杯.
飞机 · fēi jī
aeroplane; airplane
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 机
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.
东
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top and left turning stroke sit above a 小-like lower part. Compare with 车 by checking the lower strokes.
东 · dōng
east
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 东
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.
门
Learn the shape and a useful word
A top-left dot, a left vertical and a tall right turning hook make an enclosure open at the bottom.
门口 · mén kǒu
doorway; entrance area
This useful supporting character is taught here even though it is listed for recognition at a later syllabus level.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 门
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 飞机? Which character is shared by 开门 and 门口?
Check and learn
飞 and 机 make 飞机 fēi jī, airplane. 门 is shared by 开门 kāi mén, open the door, and 门口 mén kǒu, doorway. 火车 huǒ chē means train.
29. Place and sequence
Read location and order words, and learn a repeated character inside its word.
西
Learn the shape and a useful word
A top horizontal line sits above an enclosed lower part with inner upright turns. Compare its inside with 四.
西 · xī
west
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 西
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.
外
Learn the shape and a useful word
夕 on the left and 卜 on the right. Compare with 名, which places 口 below 夕.
外面 · wài miàn
outside
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 外
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.
前
Learn the shape and a useful word
Small upper strokes and a horizontal line sit above a 月-like lower-left part and 刂 on the right.
前面 · qián miàn
in front; ahead
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 前
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.
先
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping top and a crossing above 儿. Check the upper part before confusing it with 元.
先 · xiān
first; before something else, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 先
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.
候
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrow 亻 is followed by an extra upright stroke and a more complex right part with 矢 below.
时候 · shí hou
time; moment
候 is neutral hou in 时候. Do not infer this word's reading from the shape of another similar character.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 候
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 外面 and 前面. Which phrase puts something outside? Which character ends 时候?
Check and learn
外面 wài miàn means outside; 前面 qián miàn means in front or ahead. 候 ends 时候 shí hou, time or moment. 先 xiān is used for doing one thing first.
30. Days and parts of the day
Notice where 日 appears and read the complete time expression.
白
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping stroke is above a 日-like enclosure. Keep that extra top stroke when comparing 白 with 日.
白天 · bái tiān
daytime
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 白
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.
明
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 on the left and 月 on the right. Both parts remain visible in the complete character.
明天 · míng tiān
tomorrow
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 明
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.
晚
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 on the left and 免 on the right. Compare its more complex right side with the 月 in 明.
晚上 · wǎn shang
evening; at night
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 晚
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.
早
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 above 十. Keep both familiar parts when recalling the complete shape.
早上 · zǎo shang
morning
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 早
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.
昨
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 on the left and 乍 on the right. Compare its right side with the 月 in 明.
昨天 · zuó tiān
yesterday
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 昨
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 昨天 and 明天. Which means tomorrow? Which part do both first characters share?
Check and learn
明天 míng tiān means tomorrow; 昨天 zuó tiān means yesterday. 明 and 昨 both have 日 on the left. 早上 zǎo shang means morning; 晚上 wǎn shang means evening or night.
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.