Writing • Stroke Order
Chinese Character Stroke Order Examples
Part 1: Fundamental Characters
The best place to start learning Chinese characters is with pictographs — ancient drawings that became modern characters. These 12 foundational characters include basic numbers and natural objects that form the roots of thousands of more complex characters.
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.
一
yī
one
1 stroke
The simplest stroke — a single horizontal line drawn left to right.
二
èr
two
2 strokes
Two horizontal lines. The lower stroke is longer than the upper.
三
sān
three
3 strokes
Three horizontal lines — longest at bottom, shortest at top.
人
rén
person
2 strokes
A standing person — left-falling stroke, then right-falling stroke.
口
kǒu
mouth
3 strokes
A square — left side down, bottom right, then seal the top right.
日
rì
sun / day
4 strokes
An eye-shape for the sun, turned sideways. The inner stroke goes last.
月
yuè
moon / month
4 strokes
Similar to 日 but with two inner horizontal strokes.
山
shān
mountain
3 strokes
Three peaks — centre peak tallest. Middle stroke first.
水
shuǐ
water
4 strokes
The flowing lines of water. Central stroke down, then sweeping side strokes.
火
huǒ
fire
4 strokes
Flames rising — two side strokes, then the central tall stroke.
土
tǔ
earth / soil
3 strokes
A cross with a base. Horizontal first, then vertical, then base horizontal.
木
mù
tree / wood
4 strokes
A tree with roots. Horizontal, then vertical, then left branch, then right branch.
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)