Learn how Chinese characters are built

Every Chinese character is built from a few basic strokes, arranged in a small number of patterns, often around one of 214 radicals. Learn these four things first and every new character becomes easier.

1. STEP 1Character patterns12 layouts, from left–right to wrap-around
2. STEP 2The 214 radicals人 口 水 木 心The building blocks dictionaries sort by
3. STEP 3Basic strokes一 丨 丿 丶 ㇏6 basic strokes and 18 turns and hooks
4. STEP 4Stroke-order rules先横后竖7 rules that cover almost every character
5. STEP 5Start HSK 1 · Group 1你 好 我 叫Put it all together with real words