Learn Chinese Handwriting
Practical guides for learners: character structure, stroke order, radicals and how to practice — every guide links to free printable worksheets.
Chinese Handwriting: Why It Matters, Character Structure & Common Radicals
Why learning to write Chinese by hand matters, the basic character structures (left-right, top-bottom, surrounding) and the most useful radicals — with free printable practice sheets.
Chinese Stroke Order: The 7 Basic Rules with Examples
The seven basic Chinese stroke order rules, each with a character example — from horizontal before vertical to closing frames last. Watch the animations and practice with free printable worksheets.
Chinese Radicals: The Building Blocks of Hanzi
Learn Chinese radicals — what they mean, how they change shape, and the most useful ones with examples. A beginner’s guide with pinyin, meanings and free practice sheets.
Chinese Element Names: How Radicals Reveal the Periodic Table
Every Chinese element name carries a built-in label: 气 for gases, 钅 for metals, 石 for solids, 氵 for liquids. Learn the system — invented by Qing-dynasty chemists — and you can tell what an element is before you know its name.
Tianzige vs Mizige: Which Chinese Practice Grid Should You Use?
Tianzige uses a cross, mizige adds diagonals. Learn the difference between the two classic Chinese practice grids and which one fits your level — with free printable paper for both.
Pictophonetic Characters: The Secret to Remembering Chinese Characters
Around 80% of Chinese characters are pictophonetic: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the sound. Learn to spot the pattern and memorizing characters gets much easier.
Chinese Numbers: How to Write 1-10 in Chinese Characters
Learn to write the numbers 1-10 in Chinese: 一二三四五六七八九十. Simple stroke-by-stroke guide with the pattern for numbers above 10 and free practice sheets.
How to Write Your Name in Chinese: A Beginner’s Guide
Learn how foreign names become Chinese characters — the sound-based rules, popular English name translations (Michael, Emma, Sophia and more), the characters for name and surname, and free practice sheets.
Chinese Character Structure: How Hanzi Are Put Together
Learn the main Chinese character structures — left-right, top-bottom, enclosed and standalone. Understand how hanzi are assembled, write with better proportions, and read new characters faster.
Simplified vs Traditional Chinese: Which Should You Learn?
Where Simplified and Traditional Chinese are used, how they differ, and why most learners should focus on writing Simplified first — and still be able to read Traditional later.
What Is the Hardest Chinese Character to Write?
The most complex Chinese characters ever written: a 57-stroke noodle character, 48-stroke dragons and a 36-stroke dictionary record — and why you will never need any of them.
Cantonese vs Mandarin: What’s the Difference (and Which to Learn)?
How Cantonese and Mandarin really differ — writing, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar — and a practical answer to which one you should learn.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Chinese? A Realistic Timeline
A realistic timeline for learning Chinese — from basic phrases to HSK 5 — with the official FSI benchmark, the biggest time sinks, and what actually speeds you up.