BeginChinese
every character tells a story

Every Chinese character and its story

Chinese characters began 3,000 years ago as little drawings. Pick one to see its ancient form, its meaning, how to say it in Mandarin and Cantonese, and the story behind it.

Chapter 1 · Sun, Moon & Mountains
sun; daymoon; monthmountainwatertree; woodfirerainelectricity; lightning
Chapter 2 · People
person; humanbig; greatwoman; femalechild; sonmouth; openingheart; mindhandeye; to lookearto stand; to establish
Chapter 3 · The Middle Kingdom
middle; centerkingheaven; sky; daycountry; kingdom
Chapter 4 · Characters join hands
bright; cleargood; wellwoods; groveforest; denseto restcrowd; many
Chapter 5 · Strokes that count
onetwothreetenup; above; ondown; below; under
Chapter 6 · Fields and earth
fieldstrength; forceman; malestone; rockearth; soilto be born; life; to growox; cattlesheep; goatrice; uncooked grain
Chapter 7 · A day in China
yearhorsedoor; gatehome; familycart; vehicletea
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