Writing • Stroke Order
Chinese Character Stroke Order Examples
Part 4: Language & Culture
These 12 characters are meta — they describe the very act of learning Chinese. Language, speech, writing, reading, studying, teaching, and the concept of the Chinese character itself. Intermediate learners will encounter all of these within their first month.
12 Characters — Animated Stroke Order
Each character loops automatically. Watch the red strokes appear in order — this is the sequence you should follow when writing by hand.
语
yǔ
language, speech
9 strokes
Speech radical 讠+ 吾. Contains the speech radical — 语言 means 'language'.
言
yán
speech, word
7 strokes
The full form of the speech radical. Three horizontal strokes above a mouth shape.
汉
hàn
Han Chinese, Chinese language
5 strokes
Water radical 氵+ 又. 汉字 means 'Chinese characters'.
字
zì
character, written word
6 strokes
Child 子 under a roof 宀. A character is 'born under a roof' — learned in the home.
国
guó
country, nation
8 strokes
An enclosure 囗 with 玉 (jade) inside — jade represents value. 中国 = China.
学
xué
study, learn
8 strokes
The top component means 'receive instruction'. One of the most important characters for learners.
习
xí
practise, review
3 strokes
Simplified from 習 (feathers + self). 学习 = study and practise = 'to study'.
文
wén
writing, culture, language
4 strokes
An elegant character representing a person adorned with writing. 中文 = Chinese language.
读
dú
read, study
10 strokes
Speech radical 讠+ 卖. Reading involves the voice — hence the speech radical.
写
xiě
write
5 strokes
A simplified character — the top is a cover, the bottom is the phonetic component.
教
jiāo/jiào
teach / education
11 strokes
Two pronunciations: jiāo (to teach), jiào (education). A complex but important character.
书
shū
book, write
4 strokes
Simplified from 書. One of the simplest ways to write 'book' — just 4 strokes.
Video Lesson
The Six Stroke Order Rules
These rules apply to every Chinese character. Memorise them once and stroke order becomes mostly predictable.
Write upper strokes before lower ones.
e.g. 三 (three horizontal lines)
Write left strokes before right ones.
e.g. 川 (river)
Draw the horizontal line first when strokes cross.
e.g. 十 (ten)
Write the enclosing frame before the inner content.
e.g. 日 (sun/day)
For symmetric characters, write the middle stroke first.
e.g. 小 (small)
Close a box shape with the bottom stroke last.
e.g. 口 (mouth)