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 7 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.
37. Listen, look and ask
Recognise actions and learn a word whose second syllable is neutral.
听
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 斤 on the right. Compare the right side with the 乞 in 吃.
听 · tīng
listen; hear
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 听
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.
看
Learn the shape and a useful word
A hand-like upper part covers 目. The lower enclosed shape has two inner horizontal lines.
看 · kàn
look; watch; read, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 看
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.
认
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 人 on the right. Compare this simple right part with the more complex ones in 读 and 课.
认识 · rèn shi
know a person; recognise; be acquainted with
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 认
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.
识
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 只 on the right. The right part has 口 above two separated lower strokes.
认识 · rèn shi
know a person; recognise; be acquainted with
识 is neutral shi in 认识. Learn the reading of the whole word rather than giving every 识 a neutral syllable.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 识
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.
问
Learn the shape and a useful word
门 surrounds 口. Compare with 间, where the enclosed part is 日.
问 · wèn
ask
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 问
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 口 inside 门, 问 or 间? Read 认识 and explain its meaning.
Check and learn
问 wèn has 口 inside 门; 间 has 日. 认识 rèn shi can mean know a person or recognise. 听 tīng means listen or hear; 看 kàn can mean look, watch or read depending on the object.
38. Words for a question
Read a familiar question word rather than translating a character in isolation.
话
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 舌 on the right. The right side includes a short top stroke above a crossing and 口.
电话 · diàn huà
telephone; phone call
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 话
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.
谁
Learn the shape and a useful word
讠 on the left and 隹 on the right. Notice the upright strokes and stacked horizontal strokes on the right.
谁 · shéi
who
Shéi is a common reading; shuí is also used. These are readings of the same question word.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 谁
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.
哪
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 那 on the right. Keep the extra left-hand 口 when comparing 哪 with 那.
哪里 · nǎ lǐ
where
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 哪
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.
怎
Learn the shape and a useful word
乍 above 心. Compare its lower 心 with the lower part of 您.
怎么 · zěn me
how; in what way
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 怎
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.
呢
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 尼 on the right. Compare the right side with the 马 in 吗.
你呢 · nǐ ne
what about you
呢 is neutral ne in this follow-up question. It does not replace 吗 in every yes-or-no question.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 呢
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 谁, 哪里 and 你呢. Which expression follows up with what about you?
Check and learn
你呢 nǐ ne means what about you. 谁 shéi means who; 哪里 nǎ lǐ means where. 怎么 zěn me means how. The written 哪 adds 口 to 那; their tones also differ in these words.
39. Listen to the small sentence word
Notice a word's sentence use and distinguish full-tone from neutral readings.
吧
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 巴 on the right. Compare the right part with the 尼 in 呢.
走吧 · zǒu ba
let's go; go ahead, depending on context
吧 is neutral ba here and softens a suggestion. It is not an automatic translation of every English please.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 吧
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.
喂
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 on the left and 畏 on the right. Notice the enclosed crossing near the top of the right-hand part.
喂 · wèi
hello, when answering or starting a phone call
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 喂
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.
能
Learn the shape and a useful word
厶 and a 月-like part are on the left, with two 匕-shaped parts on the right. Compare the entire outline with 月 alone.
能 · néng
can; be able to, in the selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 能
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.
都
Learn the shape and a useful word
者 on the left and 阝 on the right. Compare the right-hand part with the one in 那.
都 · dōu
all; both, in the selected uses
都 is dōu for all or both. Some other words, such as 首都, use dū.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 都
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.
得
Learn the shape and a useful word
彳 on the left and a right-hand part with 日 near the top and 寸 below. Compare the left side with 很.
跑得快 · pǎo de kuài
run fast
得 is neutral de in this verb-complement pattern. It is dé or děi in other uses; the character alone does not choose the reading.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 得
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 跑得快 and 走吧. Which word is neutral de, and which particle softens the suggestion?
Check and learn
得 is neutral de in 跑得快 pǎo de kuài, run fast. 吧 is neutral ba in 走吧 zǒu ba, let's go or go ahead. 都 dōu means all or both in its selected use.
40. Work and everyday tasks
Learn a useful whole word and notice where 亻 appears.
做
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left, 古 in the middle and 攵 on the right. Notice all three sections before comparing with 作.
做饭 · zuò fàn
cook; prepare a meal
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 做
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.
事
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top and 口 sit above several crossing lines along a central vertical hook. Compare the full model carefully rather than omitting the middle lines.
事情 · shì qing
matter; thing to deal with
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 事
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.
公
Learn the shape and a useful word
八 above 厶. Compare the lower turning part with the 刀 below 八 in 分.
公司 · gōng sī
company
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 公
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.
司
Learn the shape and a useful word
A large hooked enclosing stroke covers a short horizontal line and 口 from above and the right.
公司 · gōng sī
company
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 司
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.
商
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal line sit above small strokes and a lower enclosure with 口 inside.
商店 · shāng diàn
shop; store
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 商
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 公司? Read 做饭 and compare 做 with 作.
Check and learn
公 and 司 make 公司 gōng sī, company. 做饭 zuò fàn means cook a meal. 做 and 作 both have 亻 and are both zuò here, but their right-hand parts differ; word choice must be learned from each expression.
41. Useful words with a repeated part
Recognise complete words and learn a selected meaning of a common character.
视
Learn the shape and a useful word
礻 on the left and 见 on the right. Compare the narrow left side with 讠 in 说.
电视 · diàn shì
television; TV
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 视
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.
影
Learn the shape and a useful word
景 on the left and three sloping strokes 彡 on the right. Notice 日 near the top of the left side.
电影 · diàn yǐng
film; movie
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 15 strokes · write 影
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.
题
Learn the shape and a useful word
是 on the left and 页 on the right. Keep both complete parts when distinguishing 题 from 是 alone.
问题 · wèn tí
question; problem
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 15 strokes · write 题
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.
道
Learn the shape and a useful word
首 is inside the surrounding movement part 辶. Compare the inner part with the 文 in 这.
知道 · zhī dào
know information; know that something is so
道 has the citation reading dào. In everyday 知道, the second syllable may be light and sound like neutral dao. Learn the complete word rather than imposing one sentence rhythm everywhere.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 道
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.
给
Learn the shape and a useful word
纟 on the left and 合 on the right. The right part has a 人-like top over a horizontal stroke and 口.
给 · gěi
give; to or for someone in selected sentence patterns
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 给
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 电视, 电影 and 问题. Which character contains 是 on the left?
Check and learn
电视 diàn shì means television; 电影 diàn yǐng means film; 问题 wèn tí means question or problem. 题 contains 是 on the left. 知道 zhī dào means know information.
42. Check similar shapes in familiar words
Distinguish a small stroke difference and keep a word's reading intact.
士
Learn the shape and a useful word
A vertical crosses two horizontal lines, with the upper horizontal longer. Compare with 土, whose lower horizontal is longer in the usual printed form.
女士 · nǚ shì
lady; Ms
女士 is a polite term for a woman and can follow her family name in an address. It does not tell you whether she is married.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 士
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.
市
Learn the shape and a useful word
A dot and horizontal line are above 巾. Notice the central vertical and two outer lower strokes.
超市 · chāo shì
supermarket
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 市
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.
号
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 above a lower horizontal and turning hooked stroke. Compare with 名, which places its 口 at the bottom.
号码 · hào mǎ
number; identifying number
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 号
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.
第
Learn the shape and a useful word
⺮ sits above a 弟-like lower part. Keep the added upper strokes when distinguishing 第 from 弟.
第一 · dì yī
first, in an ordered series
一 keeps its citation tone yī in this ordinal expression.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 第
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.
便
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 更 on the right. Compare its right side with the 牛 in 件.
便宜 · pián yi
inexpensive; cheap
便 is pián in 便宜. It is biàn in other words, such as 方便.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 便
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 upper horizontal is longer, the one in 士 or the one in 土? Read 第一 and 便宜.
Check and learn
士 has the longer upper horizontal, while 土 normally has the longer lower horizontal. 第一 dì yī means first in order; 便宜 pián yi means inexpensive. The reading pián belongs to this word.
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.