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 6 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.
31. Calendar and number details
Read calendar words while distinguishing 日, 月 and a narrow metal-side part.
星
Learn the shape and a useful word
日 above 生. Compare the lower 生 with the 十 below 日 in 早.
星期 · xīng qī
week; part of weekday names
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 星
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.
期
Learn the shape and a useful word
其 on the left and 月 on the right. Check the horizontal lines in the left part.
星期一 · xīng qī yī
Monday
一 stays yī in this weekday name. Do not apply an ordinary counting phrase's tone change automatically to 星期一.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 期
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.
钟
Learn the shape and a useful word
钅 on the left and 中 on the right. Compare its left part with the 木 in 机.
三点钟 · sān diǎn zhōng
three o'clock
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 钟
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.
零
Learn the shape and a useful word
雨 above 令. Notice the small marks inside the upper part and the different lower shape.
零 · líng
zero
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 零
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.
千
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short sloping stroke lies above 十. Compare with 干, whose top stroke is horizontal.
一千 · yì qiān
one thousand
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 千
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 does 星期一 mean? Which character adds a short sloping stroke above 十?
Check and learn
星期一 xīng qī yī means Monday. 千 qiān adds a short sloping stroke above 十 and means thousand. 三点钟 sān diǎn zhōng means three o'clock; 零 líng means zero.
32. Buy, sell and count money
Distinguish two similar actions and read a simple amount of money.
买
Learn the shape and a useful word
A turning top stroke sits above 头. Compare with 卖, which has an extra 十 at the top.
买 · mǎi
buy
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 买
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.
卖
Learn the shape and a useful word
十 sits above a 买-like lower shape. Keep both the extra top and the different tone when contrasting 买 and 卖.
卖 · mài
sell
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 卖
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.
钱
Learn the shape and a useful word
钅 on the left and 戋 on the right. Compare its right-hand slanting strokes with the 中 in 钟.
钱 · qián
money
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 钱
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.
块
Learn the shape and a useful word
土 on the left and 夬 on the right. Compare the left side with the 钅 in 钱.
五块钱 · wǔ kuài qián
five yuan, in everyday speech
块 is the everyday unit word here. It also counts chunks or pieces in other phrases.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 块
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.
元
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal strokes sit above 儿. Compare with 先, whose upper part is different.
五元 · wǔ yuán
five yuan
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 元
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 extra 十, 买 or 卖? Read 五块钱 and 五元.
Check and learn
卖 mài has the extra 十 and means sell; 买 mǎi means buy. 五块钱 wǔ kuài qián and 五元 wǔ yuán both express five yuan; the first is common in everyday speech.
33. Describe how something is
Learn a descriptive word and keep its character distinct from nearby shapes.
贵
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper boxed crossing and horizontal line sit above 贝. Check the lower 贝 rather than reading the top alone.
贵 · guì
expensive
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 贵
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.
高
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal top sit above a small 口 and an enclosing lower part containing another 口.
高 · gāo
tall; high
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 高
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.
冷
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two-stroke 冫 on the left and 令 on the right. Compare with three-stroke 氵 in 汉.
冷 · lěng
cold
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 冷
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.
热
Learn the shape and a useful word
执 above four lower marks 灬. Compare the lower marks with those beneath 点.
热 · rè
hot
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 热
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.
忙
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 on the left and 亡 on the right. Notice the three strokes of the narrow left part.
忙 · máng
busy
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 忙
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 冷 and 热. How many strokes are in the left-hand 冫 of 冷, compared with 氵 in 汉?
Check and learn
冷 lěng means cold; 热 rè means hot. 冫 has two strokes, whereas 氵 has three. 高 gāo means tall or high; 贵 guì means expensive; 忙 máng means busy.
34. Welcome and polite words
Recognise useful polite expressions without guessing them from their components.
请
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 青 on the right. Compare the right side with the 吾 in 语.
请 · qǐng
please; invite, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 请
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.
谢
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 射 on the right. The right side includes 身 and 寸.
谢谢 · xiè xie
thank you
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 谢
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.
您
Learn the shape and a useful word
你 above 心. Keep the lower 心 when distinguishing the polite pronoun from 你.
您 · nín
you, in a respectful form
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 您
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.
客
Learn the shape and a useful word
宀 above 各. The lower part includes a turning upper shape above 口.
客人 · kè rén
guest; visitor
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 客
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.
欢
Learn the shape and a useful word
又 on the left and 欠 on the right. Compare the right side with the 鸟 in 鸡.
欢迎 · huān yíng
welcome
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 欢
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 心 below 你 to make a respectful pronoun? Read 谢谢 and 欢迎.
Check and learn
您 nín adds 心 below 你 and is a respectful you. 谢谢 xiè xie means thank you; 欢迎 huān yíng means welcome. 请 qǐng can introduce a polite request.
35. Friends and family
Read complete people words while noticing 月, 女 and 子 in different positions.
朋
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two 月-shaped parts stand side by side. Compare with 明, whose left part is 日.
朋友 · péng you
friend
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 朋
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.
友
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper crossing and sloping stroke cover 又 below. Look for the lower 又 when comparing with 有.
朋友 · péng you
friend
友 is neutral you in 朋友, though its citation reading is yǒu.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 友
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.
妹
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 on the left and 未 on the right. Compare the right side with the 且 in 姐.
妹妹 · mèi mei
younger sister
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 妹
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.
弟
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two small upper strokes sit above a turning 弓-like middle, a central vertical and a lower sloping stroke.
弟弟 · dì di
younger brother
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 弟
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.
孩
Learn the shape and a useful word
子 on the left and 亥 on the right. Compare the position of 子 with the 子 below 宀 in 字.
孩子 · hái zi
child
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 孩
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 complete word means friend? Which character has 子 on the left?
Check and learn
朋友 péng you means friend. 孩 has 子 on the left and appears in 孩子 hái zi, child. 妹妹 mèi mei means younger sister; 弟弟 dì di means younger brother.
36. School and reading
Recognise school words and distinguish different right-hand parts beside 讠.
校
Learn the shape and a useful word
木 on the left and 交 on the right. Compare its right-hand crossed strokes with the 几 in 机.
学校 · xué xiào
school
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 校
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.
师
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two narrow left strokes stand beside a right part with a horizontal top and 巾 below.
老师 · lǎo shī
teacher
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 师
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.
课
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 果 on the right. Compare its right side with the 青 in 请.
课 · kè
class; lesson
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 课
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.
班
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two 王-like sides stand around a narrow central part. Notice all three vertical sections.
班 · bān
class group, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 班
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.
读
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 卖 on the right. Keep the extra upper 十 inside the right-hand part.
读书 · dú shū
read; study
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 读
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 果 on the right, 课 or 读? Read 学校 and 老师.
Check and learn
课 kè has 果 on the right; 读 dú has 卖. 学校 xué xiào means school; 老师 lǎo shī means teacher. A 班 bān is a class group, whereas 课 kè names a class or lesson.
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.