汉字
Each character is a pictograph, ideograph, or compound — carrying meaning, sound, and history. Start with the most fundamental characters.
象形字
Characters that visually represent objects — like 日 (sun) and 山 (mountain).
指事字
Abstract symbols representing concepts — like 上 (above) and 下 (below).
形声字
Most characters combine a meaning component (radical) with a phonetic component.
Click any character to learn more about its origin and meaning.