Remember characters by their parts

149 characters

• 好

  HSK 1Left + right

  女 + 子

  女 · woman · meaning子 · child · meaning

  A woman 女 beside a child 子 feels complete: this is good.

• 明

  HSK 1Left + right

  日 + 月

  日 · sun · meaning月 · moon · meaning

  The sun 日 and moon 月 are both bright. Together they make “bright”.

• 休

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 木

  亻 · person · meaning木 · tree · meaning

  A person 亻 stands beside a tree 木 to rest.

• 看

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  手 + 目

  手 · hand · meaning目 · eye · meaning

  A hand 手 shades an eye 目 while looking far away.

• 家

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  宀 + 豕

  宀 · roof · meaning豕 · pig · meaning

  A roof 宀 over a pig 豕 pictures a traditional household.

• 安

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  宀 + 女

  宀 · roof · meaning女 · woman · meaning

  A woman 女 under a roof 宀 is safe and at peace.

• 字

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  宀 + 子

  宀 · roof · meaning子 · child · meaning

  A child 子 under a roof 宀 is learning characters at home.

• 学

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  ⺍ + 冖 + 子

  ⺍ · lesson marks · shape冖 · cover · meaning子 · child · meaning

  A child 子 beneath a roof and lesson marks is busy learning.

• 爱

  HSK 1Stacked parts

  爫 + 冖 + 友

  爫 · hand · shape冖 · cover · meaning友 · friend · meaning

  A hand 爫 covers a friend 友 to protect what you love.

• 吃

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 乞

  口 · mouth · meaning乞 · hook · shape

  A mouth 口 plus a hooked shape 乞: food goes in when you eat.

• 喝

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 曷

  口 · mouth · meaning曷 · sound frame · shape

  A mouth 口 works with 曷: raise the cup and drink.

• 说

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 兑

  讠 · speech · meaning兑 · exchange · shape

  Words 讠 plus 兑: speech turns thought into something you can exchange.

• 话

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 舌

  讠 · speech · meaning舌 · tongue · meaning

  A tongue 舌 inside speech 讠 is the machinery of a spoken word.

• 语

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 吾

  讠 · speech · meaning吾 · I / me · meaning

  Speech 讠 plus “I” 吾: the language I use to speak.

• 读

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 卖

  讠 · speech · meaning卖 · sell · shape

  Speech 讠 meets 卖: reading takes the words on the page and makes them yours.

• 听

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 斤

  口 · mouth · meaning斤 · axe · meaning

  A mouth 口 and an axe 斤: cut the noise so you can listen.

• 问

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  门 + 口

  门 · gate · meaning口 · mouth · meaning

  A mouth 口 at a gate 门 is asking to be let in.

• 间

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  门 + 日

  门 · gate · meaning日 · sun · meaning

  The sun 日 seen through a gate 门 marks a space or interval of time.

• 闻

  HSK 2Frame + inside

  门 + 耳

  门 · gate · meaning耳 · ear · meaning

  An ear 耳 at the gate 门 hears what happens beyond the door.

• 男

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  田 + 力

  田 · field · meaning力 · strength · meaning

  A field 田 plus strength 力: traditional field work.

• 林

  HSK 4Left + right

  木 + 木

  木 · tree · meaning木 · tree · meaning

  Two trees 木 side by side make a grove.

• 森

  HSK 4Stacked parts

  木 + 木 + 木

  木 · tree · meaning木 · tree · meaning木 · tree · meaning

  Three trees 木 make a dense forest.

• 本

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  木 + 一

  木 · tree · meaning一 · root marker · shape

  A short mark at the root of a tree 木 points to its origin or basis.

• 你

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 尔

  亻 · person · meaning尔 · you frame · shape

  A person 亻 plus 尔: the character points at another person—you.

• 他

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 也

  亻 · person · meaning也 · other frame · shape

  A person 亻 with 也 points to another person—he or him.

• 她

  HSK 1Left + right

  女 + 也

  女 · woman · meaning也 · other frame · shape

  Woman 女 plus 也 marks a female “she”.

• 们

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 门

  亻 · person · meaning门 · gate · meaning

  People 亻 behind a gate 门: a group or plural.

• 吗

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 马

  口 · mouth · meaning马 · horse · meaning

  A mouth 口 plus a horse 马: a question rides at the end of the sentence.

• 呢

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 尼

  口 · mouth · meaning尼 · sound frame · shape

  A mouth 口 plus 尼: a soft question particle.

• 吧

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 巴

  口 · mouth · meaning巴 · sound frame · shape

  A mouth 口 plus 巴: a sentence ending that suggests “let’s” or “probably”.

• 哪

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 那

  口 · mouth · meaning那 · that · meaning

  A mouth 口 asks 那: which one do you mean?

• 谁

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 隹

  讠 · speech · meaning隹 · short-tailed bird · meaning

  Words 讠 ask until the short-tailed bird 隹 answers: who?

• 请

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 青

  讠 · speech · meaning青 · clear / green · meaning

  Speech 讠 plus 青: use clear words to make a polite request.

• 谢

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 射

  讠 · speech · meaning射 · shoot · meaning

  Words 讠 sent out like an arrow 射 are thanks.

• 朋

  HSK 1Left + right

  月 + 月

  月 · moon · meaning月 · moon · meaning

  Two moons 月 standing together become friends.

• 爸

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  父 + 巴

  父 · father · meaning巴 · sound bā · sound

  A father 父 above the sound 巴: bà identifies dad.

• 妈

  HSK 1Left + right

  女 + 马

  女 · woman · meaning马 · sound mǎ · sound

  Woman 女 plus the sound 马 mǎ gives mā: mother.

• 哥

  HSK 1Stacked parts

  可 + 可

  可 · can / frame · meaning可 · can / frame · meaning

  Two matching 可 shapes stand one above the other: the older brother.

• 姐

  HSK 1Left + right

  女 + 且

  女 · woman · meaning且 · sound frame · shape

  Woman 女 plus 且: an older sister.

• 妹

  HSK 1Left + right

  女 + 未

  女 · woman · meaning未 · sound frame · shape

  Woman 女 plus 未: a younger sister.

• 饭

  HSK 1Left + right

  饣 + 反

  饣 · food · meaning反 · sound fǎn · sound

  Food 饣 plus the sound 反 gives fàn: rice or a meal.

• 菜

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  艹 + 采

  艹 · plants · meaning采 · pick · meaning

  Plants 艹 picked by hand 采 become vegetables or a dish.

• 茶

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  艹 + 人 + 木

  艹 · plant · meaning人 · person · meaning木 · tree · meaning

  A plant 艹 around a person 人 and tree 木: leaves gathered from a growing tea bush.

• 果

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  田 + 木

  田 · fruit top · shape木 · tree · meaning

  Fruit hanging from a tree 木 sits above it like a field of produce.

• 时

  HSK 1Left + right

  日 + 寸

  日 · sun · meaning寸 · inch / measure · meaning

  The sun 日 plus a small measure 寸 tracks time.

• 国

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  囗 + 玉

  囗 · border · meaning玉 · jade · meaning

  A border 囗 guarding jade 玉 protects a country’s treasures.

• 因

  HSK 2Frame + inside

  囗 + 大

  囗 · boundary · meaning大 · big · meaning

  A big 大 thing inside a boundary 囗 is the reason the boundary exists.

• 回

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  囗 + 口

  囗 · outer frame · meaning口 · inner mouth · meaning

  A mouth 口 nested inside a frame 囗 turns back into itself.

• 图

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  囗 + 冬

  囗 · frame · meaning冬 · drawing · shape

  A drawing 冬 placed inside a frame 囗 becomes a picture or map.

• 园

  HSK 2Frame + inside

  囗 + 元

  囗 · boundary · meaning元 · first / source · meaning

  A bounded 囗 patch of ground 元 is a garden or park.

• 校

  HSK 1Left + right

  木 + 交

  木 · wood · meaning交 · cross · meaning

  Wood 木 plus crossing 交: the place where paths meet to learn.

• 村

  HSK 3Left + right

  木 + 寸

  木 · tree · meaning寸 · small measure · meaning

  A tree 木 and a small measure 寸 mark a little village.

• 树

  HSK 1Left + right

  木 + 又 + 寸

  木 · wood · meaning又 · hand · meaning寸 · measure · meaning

  Wood 木 beside 又 and 寸 grows into a tree.

• 秋

  HSK 2Left + right

  禾 + 火

  禾 · grain · meaning火 · fire · meaning

  Grain 禾 turns fiery 火 in autumn.

• 晴

  HSK 2Left + right

  日 + 青

  日 · sun · meaning青 · clear · meaning

  The sun 日 with clear 青 means clear weather.

• 雪

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  雨 + 彐

  雨 · rain · meaning彐 · broom shape · shape

  Rain 雨 caught on a broom-like shape 彐 becomes snow.

• 冰

  HSK 3Left + right

  冫 + 水

  冫 · ice · meaning水 · water · meaning

  Two frozen strokes 冫 beside water 水 turn it to ice.

• 冷

  HSK 1Left + right

  冫 + 令

  冫 · ice · meaning令 · order · shape

  Ice 冫 plus 令: cold enough to make you pay attention.

• 海

  HSK 2Left + right

  氵 + 每

  氵 · water · meaning每 · every · meaning

  Water 氵 everywhere 每 becomes the sea.

• 河

  HSK 2Left + right

  氵 + 可

  氵 · water · meaning可 · can · meaning

  Water 氵 beside 可 can carve a river.

• 湖

  HSK 2Left + right

  氵 + 胡

  氵 · water · meaning胡 · lake frame · shape

  Water 氵 plus 胡: a broad body of water forms a lake.

• 江

  HSK 4Left + right

  氵 + 工

  氵 · water · meaning工 · work · meaning

  Water 氵 plus work 工: a working waterway, a river.

• 洗

  HSK 1Left + right

  氵 + 先

  氵 · water · meaning先 · first · meaning

  Water 氵 comes first 先 when you wash.

• 泳

  HSK 2Left + right

  氵 + 永

  氵 · water · meaning永 · forever / flow · meaning

  Water 氵 plus 永: move through water, swim.

• 睡

  HSK 1Left + right

  目 + 垂

  目 · eye · meaning垂 · hang down · meaning

  An eye 目 grows heavy 垂 and closes for sleep.

• 做

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 故

  亻 · person · meaning故 · old / reason · meaning

  A person 亻 gives old material 故 new work: do or make.

• 作

  HSK 1Left + right

  亻 + 乍

  亻 · person · meaning乍 · sudden frame · shape

  A person 亻 plus 乍 gets something made or done.

• 写

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  冖 + 与

  冖 · cover · meaning与 · and / frame · shape

  A cover 冖 over 与: set words down under a tidy surface.

• 唱

  HSK 1Left + right

  口 + 日 + 日

  口 · mouth · meaning日 · sun · meaning日 · sun · meaning

  A mouth 口 plus doubled sun 昌: open the mouth and let the sound shine out.

• 歌

  HSK 1Left + right

  哥 + 欠

  哥 · older brother · meaning欠 · breath · meaning

  Older siblings 哥 add breath 欠: a song.

• 跳

  HSK 2Left + right

  足 + 兆

  足 · foot · meaning兆 · omen / frame · meaning

  A foot 足 plus 兆: the body leaves the ground.

• 跑

  HSK 1Left + right

  足 + 包

  足 · foot · meaning包 · wrap · meaning

  A foot 足 wrapped around 包: run.

• 路

  HSK 1Left + right

  足 + 各

  足 · foot · meaning各 · each · meaning

  Each 各 step of the foot 足 makes a road.

• 坐

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  人 + 人 + 土

  人 · person · meaning人 · person · meaning土 · earth · meaning

  Two people 人 sit on the earth 土.

• 站

  HSK 1Left + right

  立 + 占

  立 · stand · meaning占 · occupy · meaning

  Stand 立 and occupy 占 a place: stand up.

• 起

  HSK 1Left + right

  走 + 己

  走 · walk / run · meaning己 · self · meaning

  A running figure 走 plus self 己: get yourself up.

• 穿

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  穴 + 牙

  穴 · cave · meaning牙 · tooth · meaning

  A cave 穴 and a tooth 牙: push through an opening.

• 鞋

  HSK 2Left + right

  革 + 圭

  革 · leather · meaning圭 · layers / sound frame · meaning

  Leather 革 over layered material 圭 makes a shoe.

• 帽

  HSK 3Left + right

  巾 + 冒

  巾 · cloth · meaning冒 · cover · meaning

  Cloth 巾 plus a covering 冒 makes a hat.

• 欢

  HSK 1Left + right

  又 + 欠

  又 · again / hand · meaning欠 · breath · meaning

  Again 又 plus 欠: laugh or rejoice.

• 笑

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  竹 + 夭

  竹 · bamboo · meaning夭 · bend · meaning

  Bamboo 竹 sways over 夭 and seems to laugh.

• 哭

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  口 + 口 + 犬

  口 · mouth · meaning口 · mouth · meaning犬 · dog · meaning

  Two mouths 口 above a dog 犬: a loud cry.

• 怕

  HSK 2Left + right

  忄 + 白

  忄 · heart · meaning白 · white · meaning

  A heart 忄 turned white 白 with fear.

• 忙

  HSK 1Left + right

  忄 + 亡

  忄 · heart · meaning亡 · lose · meaning

  A heart 忄 plus 亡: so busy that the heart is overwhelmed.

• 快

  HSK 1Left + right

  忄 + 夬

  忄 · heart · meaning夬 · decisive frame · shape

  A heart 忄 plus a decisive 夬 shape: quick.

• 慢

  HSK 1Left + right

  忄 + 曼

  忄 · heart · meaning曼 · long / sound frame · meaning

  A heart 忄 with 曼: a long, slow feeling.

• 病

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  疒 + 丙

  疒 · sickness · meaning丙 · sound frame · shape

  A sick person 疒 plus 丙: illness.

• 疼

  HSK 2Frame + inside

  疒 + 冬

  疒 · sickness · meaning冬 · winter · meaning

  Sickness 疒 plus winter 冬: a cold ache.

• 痛

  HSK 3Frame + inside

  疒 + 甬

  疒 · sickness · meaning甬 · sound frame · shape

  Sickness 疒 plus 甬: sharp pain.

• 医

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  匚 + 矢

  匚 · box · meaning矢 · arrow · meaning

  An arrow 矢 stored in a box 匚: medicine and healing.

• 药

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  艹 + 约

  艹 · plants · meaning约 · promise / bind · meaning

  Plants 艹 plus a promise 约: medicine.

• 钟

  HSK 1Left + right

  钅 + 中

  钅 · metal · meaning中 · middle · meaning

  Metal 钅 at the middle 中: a bell or clock.

• 钱

  HSK 1Left + right

  钅 + 戋

  钅 · metal · meaning戋 · thin / small · meaning

  Metal 钅 plus thin 戋: money in small pieces.

• 店

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  广 + 占

  广 · building · meaning占 · occupy · meaning

  A building 广 plus 占: an occupied place of business.

• 房

  HSK 1Frame + inside

  户 + 方

  户 · door · meaning方 · square / direction · meaning

  A door 户 and square space 方 make a room or house.

• 花

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  艹 + 化

  艹 · plants · meaning化 · change · meaning

  Plants 艹 change 化 into flowers.

• 草

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  艹 + 早

  艹 · plants · meaning早 · early · meaning

  Plants 艹 rise early 早 like grass.

• 水

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  水

  水 · water · shape

  The middle line flows while the side strokes splash outward: water.

• 山

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  山

  山 · mountain · shape

  Three peaks rise from one base: mountain.

• 日

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  日

  日 · sun · shape

  A box with a line inside pictures the sun.

• 月

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  月

  月 · moon · shape

  A curved crescent with an inner mark: moon or month.

• 人

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  人

  人 · person · shape

  Two legs walking apart make a person.

• 口

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  口

  口 · mouth · shape

  An open square pictures an open mouth.

• 火

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  火

  火 · fire · shape

  A central flame with sparks on either side: fire.

• 木

  HSK 3Single pictograph

  木

  木 · tree · shape

  A trunk, branches and roots make a tree.

• 女

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  女

  女 · woman · shape

  A seated figure with crossed arms: woman.

• 子

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  子

  子 · child · shape

  A child with outstretched arms.

• 目

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  目

  目 · eye · shape

  An eye drawn upright, with its pupil inside.

• 耳

  HSK 3Single pictograph

  耳

  耳 · ear · shape

  The outline and inner folds of an ear.

• 手

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  手

  手 · hand · shape

  A palm with fingers spreading upward.

• 足

  HSK 3Single pictograph

  足

  足 · foot · shape

  A foot and leg below a knee-like square.

• 心

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  心

  心 · heart · shape

  The curved chambers of a heart.

• 田

  HSK 5Single pictograph

  田

  田 · field · shape

  A field divided by paths and irrigation lines.

• 力

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  力

  力 · strength · shape

  A flexed arm or plough shows strength.

• 刀

  HSK 3Single pictograph

  刀

  刀 · knife · shape

  A blade with a curved cutting edge.

• 门

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  门

  门 · gate · shape

  Two swinging leaves make a gate or door.

• 雨

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  雨

  雨 · rain · shape

  Drops fall from a canopy: rain.

• 云

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  云

  云 · cloud · shape

  A curling shape drifting above: cloud.

• 马

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  马

  马 · horse · shape

  A mane, body and four legs form a horse.

• 牛

  HSK 1Single pictograph

  牛

  牛 · cow / ox · shape

  Horns above a long face: cow or ox.

• 羊

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  羊

  羊 · sheep / goat · shape

  Horns above a face: sheep or goat.

• 鱼

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  鱼

  鱼 · fish · shape

  A head, body and tail form a fish.

• 鸟

  HSK 2Single pictograph

  鸟

  鸟 · bird · shape

  A beak, wing and tail form a bird.

• 虫

  HSK 4Single pictograph

  虫

  虫 · insect · shape

  A crawling body with a segmented back: insect.

• 想

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  木 + 目 + 心

  木 · tree · meaning目 · eye · meaning心 · heart · meaning

  A tree 木, an eye 目 and a heart 心: what you see stays on your mind.

• 意

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  音 + 心

  音 · sound · meaning心 · heart · meaning

  Sound 音 above heart 心: meaning is what the heart hears in the sound.

• 思

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  田 + 心

  田 · field · meaning心 · heart · meaning

  A field 田 above the heart 心: thoughts working through the mind.

• 感

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  咸 + 心

  咸 · complete / salted · shape心 · heart · meaning

  A complete 咸 feeling lands in the heart 心 as emotion.

• 情

  HSK 2Left + right

  忄 + 青

  忄 · heart · meaning青 · clear / green · meaning

  A heart 忄 plus clear 青: emotion or feeling.

• 教

  HSK 1Left + right

  耂 + 子 + 攵

  耂 · elder · meaning子 · child · meaning攵 · hand · meaning

  An elder 耂 guides a child 子 with a hand 攵: teaching.

• 室

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  宀 + 至

  宀 · roof · meaning至 · arrive · meaning

  A roof 宀 over arrival 至 gives a room.

• 篮

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  竹 + 监

  竹 · bamboo · meaning监 · frame / watch · meaning

  Bamboo 竹 woven around a frame 监 makes a basket.

• 球

  HSK 1Left + right

  王 + 求

  王 · jade · meaning求 · seek · meaning

  A jade-like 王 object with 求 is a ball.

• 记

  HSK 1Left + right

  讠 + 己

  讠 · speech · meaning己 · self · meaning

  Speech 讠 plus self 己: record what you yourself have heard.

• 忘

  HSK 1Top + bottom

  亡 + 心

  亡 · lose · meaning心 · heart · meaning

  When the heart 心 is lost 亡, memory disappears.

• 清

  HSK 2Left + right

  氵 + 青

  氵 · water · meaning青 · clear · meaning

  Water 氵 plus clear 青: clean and clear.

• 历

  HSK 3Left + right

  厂 + 力

  厂 · cliff · meaning力 · strength · meaning

  A cliff 厂 with strength 力: effort experienced over time, history.

• 银

  HSK 2Left + right

  钅 + 艮

  钅 · metal · meaning艮 · sound frame · shape

  Metal 钅 plus the sound frame 艮 identifies silver.

• 护

  HSK 2Left + right

  扌 + 户

  扌 · hand · meaning户 · door · meaning

  A hand 扌 at a door 户 protects the home.

• 音

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  立 + 日

  立 · stand · meaning日 · sun · meaning

  Standing 立 above the sun 日, sound rises into the air.

• 章

  HSK 3Top + bottom

  立 + 早

  立 · stand · meaning早 · early · meaning

  Standing 立 over early 早 marks a chapter or seal.

• 结

  HSK 2Left + right

  纟 + 吉

  纟 · silk · meaning吉 · good fortune · meaning

  Silk 纟 tied with good fortune 吉 forms a knot or conclusion.

• 礼

  HSK 2Left + right

  礻 + 乚

  礻 · offering · meaning乚 · bent shape · shape

  An offering 礻 with a bent stroke 乚 marks ceremony or courtesy.

• 物

  HSK 2Left + right

  牛 + 勿

  牛 · cow · meaning勿 · shape frame · shape

  A cow 牛 beside 勿: a physical thing or object.

• 品

  HSK 3Stacked parts

  口 + 口 + 口

  口 · mouth · meaning口 · mouth · meaning口 · mouth · meaning

  Three mouths 口 together make a category or product.

• 员

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  口 + 贝

  口 · mouth · meaning贝 · shell / value · meaning

  A mouth 口 above a shell 贝: a counted person or member.

• 需

  HSK 3Top + bottom

  雨 + 而

  雨 · rain · meaning而 · and / shape frame · meaning

  Rain 雨 above 而: something needed to get through the weather.

• 遇

  HSK 3Frame + inside

  辶 + 禺

  辶 · walk · meaning禺 · meeting frame · shape

  Walk 辶 into 禺 and you meet or encounter something.

• 愿

  HSK 2Top + bottom

  原 + 心

  原 · source · meaning心 · heart · meaning

  Something original 原 held in the heart 心 becomes a wish.