{"id":183550,"date":"2016-09-01T00:42:27","date_gmt":"2016-09-01T04:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/easy-chinese-characters\/"},"modified":"2025-02-27T05:06:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T10:06:48","slug":"easy-chinese-characters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/easy-chinese-characters\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Easy Chinese Characters to Start Learning Mandarin"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you begin your Mandarin learning journey<\/a>, you probably want to ease yourself into the language with the easiest Chinese characters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Below are some of the most basic, commonly used characters in Chinese, with the least number of character strokes. Because they have so few strokes, these are some of the simplest words to write in Chinese.<\/a><\/p>\n

You’ll find them easy to remember as well, since some of the characters actually resemble their meaning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u4e00 (y\u012b)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 1<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> One<\/p>\n

The character for “one” in Chinese is simply one\u00a0horizontal stroke.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, the characters for two \u4e8c (\u00e8r)<\/em> and three \u4e09 (s\u0101n)<\/em> are also simple horizontal strokes.\u00a0One, two and three are quite easy to remember, since one is one stroke, two is two strokes, etc.<\/p>\n

One in Chinese is used in references to the singular, such as a single person \u4e00\u4e2a\u4eba (y\u00ed g\u00e8 r\u00e9n)<\/em>. For example:<\/p>\n

\u6211\u4e00\u4e2a\u4eba\u6765\u3002 (w\u01d2 y\u00ed g\u00e8 r\u00e9n l\u00e1i.) <\/em>\u2014 I came here by myself.<\/p>\n

One is also used when ordering or purchasing items. For example:<\/p>\n

\u6211\u8981\u4e00\u4e2a\u3002 (w\u01d2 y\u00e0o y\u00ed g\u00e8.)<\/em> \u2014 I would like one.<\/p>\n

2. \u4eba (r\u00e9n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 2<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Man<\/p>\n

The Chinese character for “man” is two simple strokes. The character looks like a person with legs apart.<\/p>\n

When you put two of these characters together, producing \u4eba\u4eba\u00a0(r\u00e9n r\u00e9n),<\/em> the meaning is\u00a0“everyone.” <\/i>For example:<\/p>\n

\u4eba\u4eba\u90fd\u7231\u559d\u53ef\u4e50\u3002 (r\u00e9n r\u00e9n d\u014du \u00e0i h\u0113 k\u011b l\u00e8.)<\/em> \u2014 Everyone loves drinking soda.<\/p>\n

3. \u5341 (sh\u00ed)\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 2<\/p>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>Ten<\/p>\n

Ten in Chinese is a very versatile word. For example, \u5341\u5206 (sh\u00ed f\u0113n)<\/em> means “very much.”<\/p>\n

In counting<\/a>, all the teen digits use ten as the base, like so:<\/p>\n

\u5341\u4e00 (sh\u00ed y\u012b) \u2014 <\/em>eleven<\/p>\n

\u5341\u4e8c (sh\u00ed \u00e8r) \u2014 <\/em>twelve<\/p>\n

\u5341\u4e09 (sh\u00ed s\u0101n) \u2014 <\/em>thirteen<\/p>\n

\u5341\u56db (sh\u00ed s\u00ec) \u2014 <\/em>fourteen<\/p>\n

\u5341\u4e94 (sh\u00ed w\u01d4) \u2014 <\/em>fifteen<\/p>\n

Furthermore, 20 is \u4e8c\u5341 (\u00e8r sh\u00ed)<\/em> or “two tens,” 30 is \u4e09\u5341 (s\u0101n sh\u00ed)<\/em> “three tens,” 50 is \u4e94\u5341 (w\u01d4 sh\u00ed)<\/em> and the pattern continues like this until you reach 90, which is \u4e5d\u5341 (j\u01d0u sh\u00ed).<\/em><\/p>\n

But just so you know, 100 is not “ten-tens,” it’s \u4e00\u767e (y\u012b b\u01cei)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

4. \u5c71 (sh\u0101n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Mountain<\/p>\n

Can you tell that this character looks like a mountain range?\u00a0Check out the ancient script, and you’ll see that\u00a0it has a much closer resemblance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When combined with other characters, it means even more things related to nature and scenery. For example, when combined with the character for “water” or \u6c34 (sh\u01d4i),<\/em> you get \u5c71\u6c34 (sh\u0101n sh\u01d4i),<\/em> which means\u00a0“landscape.”<\/p>\n

Therefore \u5c71\u6c34\u753b (sh\u0101n sh\u01d4i hu\u00e0)<\/em> refers to a landscape painting. The character \u753b (hu\u00e0)<\/em>, meaning “painting” or “drawing,” looks like a little picture in a frame!<\/p>\n

5. \u5927 (d\u00e0) <\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Big<\/p>\n

See how the character for “big” looks like a person with arms and legs spread wide?<\/p>\n

When we combine \u5927 with another character we just learned (\u4eba), we get \u5927\u4eba (d\u00e0 r\u00e9n)<\/em> meaning “adult,” or literally, “big man.” However, do note that a child isn’t called a “little man.”<\/p>\n

You could describe a big mountain as \u5927\u5c71 (d\u00e0 sh\u0101n).<\/em> This, of course, is also the name of famous Chinese-speaking comedian Mark Roswell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

University is called \u5927\u5b66 (d\u00e0 xu\u00e9),<\/em>\u00a0literally “big school.”<\/p>\n

6. \u5c0f (xi\u01ceo)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong>\u00a0Small<\/p>\n

Since we learned “big,” we have to learn its opposite, \u5c0f.\u00a0<\/em>Can you guess what “elementary school” is in Chinese? It’s \u5c0f\u5b66\u00a0(xi\u01ceo xu\u00e9)<\/em> or “little school.”<\/p>\n

Note that \u5c0f only refers to size. When we talk about small amounts, we say \u5c11 (sh\u01ceo).<\/em><\/p>\n

On another note, \u5c0f\u59d0 (xi\u01ceo ji\u011b)<\/em> means “lady.”<\/p>\n

7. \u53e3 (k\u01d2u)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Mouth<\/p>\n

The character for “mouth” looks just like an opening. Here are some common phrases that use this character:<\/p>\n

\u5927\u53e3 (d\u00e0 k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 big mouthful<\/p>\n

\u51fa\u53e3 (ch\u016b k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 exit<\/p>\n

\u4eba\u53e3 (r\u00e9n k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 population<\/p>\n

\u5c71\u53e3 (sh\u0101n k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 mountain pass<\/p>\n

8. \u5973 (n\u01da)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Female<\/p>\n

This character kind of looks like a lady with her legs crossed.\u00a0Check out its interesting evolution throughout history<\/a>. Here are two examples of how to use this character:<\/p>\n

\u7f8e\u5973 (m\u011bi n\u01da)<\/em> \u2014 pretty girl<\/p>\n

\u5c11\u5973 (sh\u00e0o n\u01da)<\/em> \u2014 young lady<\/p>\n

9. \u9a6c (m\u01ce)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Horse<\/p>\n

The horse character resembles an animal with running legs and a long neck. It went through several iterations throughout history<\/a>. Here are two more common uses of this character:<\/p>\n

\u9a6c\u4e0a (m\u01ce sh\u00e0ng)<\/em> \u2014 immediately<\/p>\n

\u4eba\u9a6c (r\u00e9n m\u01ce)<\/em> \u2014 troops, literally “men and horses”<\/p>\n

10. \u5de5 (g\u014dng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Work<\/p>\n

This I-beam character appears in many work-related terms as well. Here’s where you might see it:<\/p>\n

\u5de5\u4f5c (g\u014dng zu\u00f2)<\/em> \u2014 job<\/p>\n

\u5de5\u4eba (g\u014dng r\u00e9n)<\/em> \u2014 worker<\/p>\n

\u6728\u5de5 (m\u00f9 g\u014dng)<\/em> \u2014 woodwork \/ carpentry<\/p>\n

11. \u95e8 (m\u00e9n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Door<\/p>\n

This character does bear a striking resemblance to a doorway, doesn’t it? Here are a couple more uses of this character:<\/p>\n

\u95e8\u53e3 (m\u00e9n k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 doorway<\/p>\n

\u5f00\u95e8 (k\u0101i m\u00e9n)<\/em> \u2014 open the door<\/p>\n

12. \u4e0a\u00a0(sh\u00e0ng) <\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Up<\/p>\n

Three strokes make up this character that looks like it’s pointing up. This character also refers to attending something or going somewhere. Here’s how we use it:<\/p>\n

\u4e0a\u8bfe (sh\u00e0ng k\u00e8)<\/em> \u2014 go to class<\/p>\n

\u4e0a\u73ed (sh\u00e0ng b\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 go to work<\/p>\n

\u665a\u4e0a (w\u01cen sh\u00e0ng)<\/em> \u2014 in the evening<\/p>\n

\u65e9\u4e0a (z\u01ceo sh\u00e0ng)<\/em> \u2014 in the morning<\/p>\n

\u7231\u4e0a (\u00e0i sh\u00e0ng)<\/em> \u2014 fall in love; note that in Chinese, we don’t “fall” in love with someone, we love “upon” someone!<\/p>\n

\u4e0a\u8f66 (sh\u00e0ng ch\u0113)<\/em> \u2014 get in the car<\/p>\n

13. \u4e0b (xi\u00e0)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>Down<\/p>\n

This simple character looks like a downward arrow. It also refers to leaving or getting off someplace.<\/p>\n

\u4e0b\u73ed (xi\u00e0 b\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 get off work<\/p>\n

\u4e0b\u8bfe (xi\u00e0 k\u00e8)<\/em> \u2014 get off class<\/p>\n

\u4e0b\u8f66 (xi\u00e0 ch\u0113)<\/em> \u2014 get out of the car<\/p>\n

14. \u65e5 (r\u00ec)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Sun<\/p>\n

The character for “sun” looks like a box with a line in the middle. It’s supposed to approximate the image of the sun. You might have to use a little imagination, but in the ancient bronze script, this character was more circular like the sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u65e5 not only refers to the Earth’s source of light, but it also means “day.” It’s used when talking about dates, e.g. 7\u65e5 is the seventh day of whatever month you’re talking about. If you put two sun characters together (\u65e5\u65e5),\u00a0it means “every day.”<\/p>\n

15. \u6708\u00a0(yu\u00e8) <\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Moon<\/p>\n

The character for “moon” originally resembled a crescent. If you look at the oracle bone script<\/a>, you’ll see what I mean.<\/p>\n

\u6708 not only refers to the nightly crescent, but it also means “month.” For example, 8\u6708 7\u65e5 is how you’d write “August 7.”<\/p>\n

You can write all the months in Chinese simply by putting a numeral (or the appropriate Chinese character if you like\u2014either way works) in front of \u6708. Here are the names for January through March:<\/p>\n

1\u6708<\/p>\n

2\u6708<\/p>\n

3\u6708<\/p>\n

Too easy, right?<\/p>\n

16. \u6c34 (sh\u01d4i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Water<\/p>\n

The character for “water” resembles a drip with some splashes. It was\u00a0much more watery-looking thousands of years ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To make use of another character we already learned (\u4e00), “one glass of water” is \u4e00\u676f\u6c34 (y\u00ec b\u0113i sh\u01d4i)<\/em>. To ask for a glass of water, you could say:<\/p>\n

\u8bf7\u7ed9\u6211\u4e00\u676f\u6c34\u3002 (q\u01d0ng g\u011bi w\u01d2 y\u012b b\u0113i sh\u01d4i.)<\/em> \u2014 Please give me a glass of water.<\/p>\n

17. \u706b (h\u01d4o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Fire<\/p>\n

Check out this flaming character’s evolution from the bone script version<\/a>. Very cool.<\/p>\n

One place you might see \u706b is in recipes because \u5927\u706b (d\u00e0 h\u01d4o) <\/em>is “big flame” and \u5c0f\u706b (xi\u01ceo h\u01d4o) <\/em>is “small flame.” These will tell you the heat levels for cooking!<\/p>\n

Here are a few more ways to use the character:<\/p>\n

\u706b\u8f66 (h\u01d4o ch\u0113)<\/em> \u2014 train<\/p>\n

\u5c71\u706b (sh\u0101n h\u01d4o)<\/em> \u2014 forest fire<\/p>\n

18. \u5929 (ti\u0101n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong>\u00a0Sky<\/p>\n

Notice how the shape of this character points upwards, towards the sky. Two of these characters together \u5929\u5929 mean “every day” as well.<\/p>\n

The four seasons are written as:<\/p>\n

\u6625\u5929 (ch\u016bn ti\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 spring<\/p>\n

\u590f\u5929 (xi\u00e0 ti\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 summer<\/p>\n

\u79cb\u5929 (q\u012bu ti\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 fall<\/p>\n

\u51ac\u5929 (d\u014dng ti\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 winter<\/p>\n

There’s also:<\/p>\n

\u4eca\u5929 (j\u012bn ti\u0101n) \u2014 <\/em>today<\/p>\n

\u6628\u5929 (zu\u00f3 ti\u0101n) \u2014 <\/em>yesterday<\/p>\n

\u660e\u5929 (m\u00edng ti\u0101n) \u2014 <\/em>tomorrow<\/p>\n

19. \u725b\u00a0(ni\u00fa)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong>\u00a0Cow<\/p>\n

This character looks like an animal with horns<\/a>. Here are a couple of ways we use this character:<\/p>\n

\u725b\u8089 (ni\u00fa r\u00f2u)<\/em> \u2014 beef<\/p>\n

\u592a\u725b\u4e86\uff01 (t\u00e0i ni\u00fa le!)<\/em> \u2014 awesome; we’re not sure what cows have to do with awesomeness, but maybe it’s kind of like “holy cow!” in English.<\/p>\n

20. \u6728 (m\u00f9)\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong>\u00a0Wood<\/p>\n

This nature-associated character resembles a tree<\/a>. Here are two examples of associated vocabulary:<\/p>\n

\u6728\u74dc (m\u00f9 gu\u0101)<\/em> \u2014 papaya<\/p>\n

\u6728\u7434 (m\u00f9 q\u00edn)<\/em> \u2014 xylophone<\/p>\n

21. \u5f00 (k\u0101i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Open<\/p>\n

This word can also mean “to start.” We use this character in these ways:<\/p>\n

\u5f00\u5200 (k\u0101i d\u0101o)<\/em> \u2014 surgery<\/p>\n

\u5f00\u5de5 (k\u0101i g\u014dng)<\/em> \u2014 start work<\/p>\n

\u5f00\u53e3 (k\u0101i k\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 speak up<\/p>\n

22. \u5fc3 (x\u012bn)\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Heart<\/p>\n

We’re not totally sure, but perhaps this character looks a little like the organ it refers to. What do you think? Here’s how to use this character:<\/p>\n

\u5c0f\u5fc3 (xi\u01ceo x\u012bn) \u2014 <\/em>be careful<\/p>\n

\u5f00\u5fc3 (k\u0101i x\u012bn)<\/em> \u2014 happy<\/p>\n

23. \u4e0d (b\u00f9)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> No<\/p>\n

Although this character means “no,”<\/a> we don’t usually use it by itself. We usually say \u4e0d\u662f (b\u00fa sh\u00ec)<\/em> for “no” and “not correct” or \u4e0d\u597d (b\u00f9 h\u01ceo)<\/em> for\u00a0<\/em>“no” or “not good.”<\/p>\n

\u4e0d\u5c11 (b\u00f9 sh\u01ceo)<\/em>\u00a0literally translates to “not few,” and so in other words means\u00a0“a lot.”<\/p>\n

24. \u624b (sh\u01d2u)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Hand<\/p>\n

Can you guess how this character resembles its meaning? Check out the lines in the palm of your hand! Here are more ways to use this character:<\/p>\n

\u624b\u5de5 (sh\u01d2u g\u014dng)<\/em> \u2014 handicraft<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u624b (y\u012b sh\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 single-handedly \/ by oneself<\/p>\n

\u6c34\u624b (sh\u01d4i sh\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 sailor<\/p>\n

25. \u738b (w\u00e1ng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> King<\/p>\n

Wang (\u738b)\u00a0<\/em>is a popular last name; for example \u738b\u529b\u5b8f\u00a0(w\u00e1ng l\u00ec h\u00f3ng),<\/em> or Leehom Wang, is the name of a popular singer and actor.<\/p>\n

There’s also \u738b\u5b50 (w\u00e1ng z\u01d0)<\/em>, which means “prince.”<\/em><\/p>\n

26. \u4e2d (zh\u014dng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Center<\/p>\n

This is an important character because it’s part of China’s name. It also looks like what it means: a line through the center of something. You’ll see this character used in these ways, among others:<\/p>\n

\u4e2d\u56fd (zh\u014dng g\u00fao)<\/em> \u2014 China; literally meaning “Middle Kingdom”<\/p>\n

\u4e2d\u6587 (zh\u014dng w\u00e9n)<\/em> \u2014 Chinese<\/p>\n

\u4e2d\u5348 (zh\u014dng w\u01d4)<\/em> \u2014 noon<\/p>\n

\u4e2d\u5b66 (zh\u014dng xu\u00e9)<\/em> \u2014 middle school<\/p>\n

27. \u751f (sh\u0113ng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 5<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Birth<\/p>\n

The word “birth” also refers to life and the start of something. Here are some of the many ways to use it:<\/p>\n

\u751f\u65e5 (sh\u0113ng r\u00ec)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 birthday<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u751f (y\u00ec sh\u0113ng)<\/em> \u2014 one’s whole life, lifetime<\/p>\n

\u5148\u751f (xi\u0101n sh\u0113ng)<\/em> \u2014 mister; e.g. \u738b\u5148\u751f (w\u00e1ng xi\u0101n sh\u0113ng)<\/em> Mr. Wang<\/p>\n

\u51fa\u751f (ch\u016b sh\u0113ng)<\/em> \u2014 be born<\/p>\n

\u751f\u6c14 (sh\u0113ng q\u00ec)<\/em> \u2014 get angry<\/p>\n

28. \u7f8a\u00a0(y\u00e1ng) <\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 6<\/p>\n

English: <\/strong>Sheep<\/p>\n

Do you think this character looks like an animal with antlers<\/a>? Here’s how we use this character:<\/p>\n

\u5c71\u7f8a (sh\u0101n y\u00e1ng)<\/em> \u2014 mountain sheep\/goat<\/p>\n

\u7f8a\u6bdb (y\u00e1ng m\u00e1o)<\/em> \u2014 fleece<\/p>\n

29. \u7c73 (m\u01d0)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 6<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Rice<\/p>\n

Now for the word that refers to the food staple and the Chinese cultural icon! Here are more cases of the character for “rice”:<\/p>\n

\u7389\u7c73 (y\u00f9 m\u01d0) \u2014 <\/em>corn<\/p>\n

\u767d\u7c73 (b\u00e1i m\u01d0)<\/em> \u2014 white rice or refined rice for eating<\/p>\n

30. \u7537 (n\u00e1n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Number of strokes:<\/strong> 7<\/p>\n

English:<\/strong> Boy<\/p>\n

The character for “boy” is actually the combination of \u7530\u00a0(ti\u00e1n)<\/em> for “farm” and \u529b (l\u00ec)<\/em> for “work,” referring to how traditionally men worked the land. You’ll see this character on the door of public washrooms.<\/p>\n

Here are a couple more instances using this character:<\/p>\n

\u7537\u4eba (n\u00e1n r\u00e9n) \u2014 <\/em>man<\/p>\n

\u7537\u53cb (n\u00e1n y\u01d2u)<\/em> \u2014 boyfriend<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n

This solid list of easy Chinese characters should get\u00a0you well on your way to becoming a language superstar<\/a>! Then, you can take it a step further by using an immersive learning program like FluentU<\/a>, where you can see new vocabulary written in the subtitles and used naturally in short videos.