Chinese learning resources
Free tools and articles for learning Chinese: HSK 3.0 vocabulary lists for every level, a complete HSK guide, and articles on apps, games, and learning through immersion.
Chinese HSK
Our definitive guide explains the Chinese HSK, from the new nine-level system to choosing an exam and finding vocabulary lists, downloads and study guides.
Chinese characters and writing
Learn to read and write Chinese characters: look up the stroke order of any character, learn the strokes and the rules behind them, and find the characters and radicals worth learning first.
Chinese stroke order and handwriting practice
Sean SmithChinese stroke order for 9,000+ characters, animated with stroke numbers and stroke counts. Search by pinyin or English, then trace to practice writing.- How to write Chinese characters: strokes, stroke order, and practiceLearn to write Chinese characters: the basic strokes and their names, the stroke order rules with animated examples, and how to practice neat handwriting.
- The most difficult Chinese characters to write by handThe most complicated Chinese characters, animated stroke by stroke: from 33-stroke 鱻 to everyday traditional ones like 廳 and 鬱, and how simplification cut them.
Chinese radicals: all 214 Kangxi radicalsSean SmithAll 214 Kangxi radicals with their other forms, pinyin, meaning, stroke count, and example characters, plus which radicals to learn first.- How to type Chinese on any deviceAdd a Chinese pinyin keyboard on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, or Chromebook, then type characters with pinyin, handwriting, and shortcuts like v for ü.
Guides
What is pinyin? Understanding the Chinese alphabetSean SmithChinese has no alphabet, but it has pinyin. Learn what pinyin is, its initials and finals, where tone marks go, the spellings that trip beginners, and typing.- Chinese tones: the four tones and the neutral toneThe four Mandarin tones and the neutral tone in plain words: tone marks and numbers, minimal pairs, third-tone sandhi, the 一 and 不 changes, and how to practice.
