Strokes

Learning Objectives

Every Chinese character is made up of strokes. It is essential to practice these strokes which help write a Chinese character easier.

Basically, strokes are generally classified into eight basic forms:

Strokes are generally classified into eight basic forms.

1. diǎn, means a simple dot.

2. héng, means a horizontal stroke, written from left to right.

3. shù, means a vertical stroke, written from top to bottom.

4. gōu, looks like a hook, appended to other strokes.

5. tí, means a rising stroke, rising from left to right.

6. piě, means a downward stroke, falling from right to left.

7. zhé, means a turn stroke, usually changing stroke direction in certain degrees.

8. nà, means a downward stroke, falling from left to right.