Chinese Stroke Order Rules: Practice the Rules, Not Just the Characters

By the end you can

• Name and write the 8 basic strokes, from 横 (horizontal) to 钩 (hook)
• Apply 8 stroke-order rules to characters you have never seen before
• Work out the stroke order of 40+ beginner characters, from 十 and 人 to 我 and 国

What’s inside

• Strokes: Learn: Four Basic Strokes: 横 竖 撇 点 · Learn: Four More Strokes: 捺 提 折 钩 · Practice: Spot the Basic Strokes
• Reference: Compound Strokes at a Glance
• Rule 1: Learn: Rule 1: 横 Before 竖
• Rule 2: Learn: Rule 2: 撇 Before 捺
• Rules 1–2: Practice: Practice: Crossings and Sweeps
• Rule 3: Learn: Rule 3: Top to Bottom
• Rule 4: Learn: Rule 4: Left to Right
• Rules 3–4: Practice: Practice: Top, Bottom, Left, Right
• Rule 5: Learn: Rule 5: Outside Before Inside
• Rule 6: Learn: Rule 6: Inside Before Closing
• Rules 5–6: Practice: Practice: Frames and Boxes
• Rule 7: Learn: Rule 7: Middle Before Sides
• Rule 8: Learn: Rule 8: Top-Right Dots Last
• Rules 7–8: Practice: Practice: Middles and Dots
• Watch Out: Learn: Watch Out: Tricky Characters
• Story 1: Lin Hao Writes 国 · Practice: Story Check and Tricky Characters
• Cards: The 8 Rules on Cards
• Review: Review: Explain the Rules
• Progress: My Stroke Order Checklist

Who it’s for

Complete beginners: you don't need any Mandarin to start.

Frequently asked questions

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Keep going

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