Writing • Stroke Order
Chinese Character Stroke Order Examples
Part 2: Pronouns & Descriptors
These 12 characters are the glue of everyday conversation. Pronouns (I, you, he, she), the verb "to be", common adjectives, and essential function words — master these and you can form basic Mandarin sentences immediately.
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.
大
dà
big, large
3 strokes
A person stretching arms wide — horizontal first, then the long vertical, then left then right.
小
xiǎo
small, little
3 strokes
Centre stroke first, then left dot, then right dot — the opposite of 大.
好
hǎo
good, fine
6 strokes
Woman 女 + child 子. Combined meaning: woman with a child = good.
你
nǐ
you
7 strokes
Person radical 亻 + 尔. The left stroke is written before the right component.
我
wǒ
I, me
7 strokes
A complex character — practise the stroke sequence carefully.
他
tā
he, him
5 strokes
Person radical 亻 + 也. Radical first, then the right component.
她
tā
she, her
6 strokes
Woman radical 女 + 也. Same structure as 他.
是
shì
is, am, are (to be)
9 strokes
One of the most common characters. Follow the sequence carefully.
有
yǒu
have, exist
6 strokes
Moon 月 under a hand. Write the top part before 月.
不
bù
no, not
4 strokes
A simple character — horizontal, then vertical, then left, then right dot.
和
hé
and, with, harmonious
8 strokes
Grain 禾 + mouth 口. Write the left component first.
在
zài
at, in, exist
6 strokes
Earth 土 + 才. The 土 component is on the left.
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)