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 · Writing, Sun, Moon & Mountains
writing; language; culturesun; daymoon; monthmountainwatertree; woodfirerainelectricity; lightningshell; cowriebirdbamboowhite; blankgrass; strawnot; noflower; to spend (time, money)shell; armor; first (of the Ten Heavenly Stems)cloudair; gas; breath; energysnowto be; right, correcttall; highdragonriver; streamspring; fountainturtle; tortoiseevening; dusk; sunset
Chapter 2 · People
person; humanbig; greatwoman; femalechild; sonmouth; openingheart; mindhandeye; to lookearto stand; to establishto see; to perceivefoot; enoughI; meto walk; to go; to leaveself; oneself; from, sincechild; son; a kneeling person's legsmothersmall; littletongueface; side; surfacehe; himyou (singular)fatherfew; littleold; elderly; agedagain; also; yet (originally: a right hand)man; husband; laborer
Chapter 3 · The Middle Kingdom
middle; centerkingheaven; sky; daycountry; kingdomjade; precious stone
Chapter 4 · Characters join hands
bright; cleargood; wellwoods; groveforest; denseto restcrowd; manyto have; there isthunderdawn; dayfriendto look; to see; to watch; to readroot; origin; thisend; tip; lastto follow; fromto ask; to inquirestarnorth
Chapter 5 · Strokes that count
onetwothreetenup; above; ondown; below; underfourninefiveeight
Chapter 6 · Fields and earth
fieldstrength; forceman; malestone; rockearth; soilto be born; life; to growox; cattlesheep; goatrice; uncooked grainfishinsect; bug; wormnet; web; networkwell (for water); orderly, structureddoginside; village; a Chinese milework; labor; craftsmanfruit; resultskin; hide; leathervalley; grainrabbit; haremelon; gourdbean; legume
Chapter 7 · A day in China
yearhorsedoor; gatehome; familycart; vehicleteaknife; bladeboat; shipbow (weapon)door; householdto exit; to go out; to come outbetween; interval; roomaxe (ancient); jīn — a traditional unit of weight, about 500 g
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