中
Character learning workspace

zhōng / zhòng · middle

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 3Frequency #11
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 中

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

中 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

zhōng

within; among; in; middle

中国Zhōng guó · China
zhòng

to hit (a target); to be struck by (a bullet, illness etc); to win (a prize or lottery)

看中kàn zhòng · to have a preference for
Step-by-step explorer

See how 中 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

4Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Single bodyCharacter structure

Keep the whole form centered inside the writing square.

丨Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 中 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 中

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

zhōngwithin; among; in; middle
zhòngto hit (a target); to be struck by (a bullet, illness etc); to win (a prize or lottery)
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 中 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ xiǎng tā bú shì zhōng guó rén.我想他不是中国人。

I think he is not Chinese.

Source: Tatoeba #6051019 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ hé tā zài zhōng xué shì yí gè bān de.我和她在中学是一个班的。

She and I were in the same class in middle school.

Source: Tatoeba #820899 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì cóng zhōng guó lái de.我是从中国来的。

I come from China.

Source: Tatoeba #717391 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yě shì qí zhōng yí gè ba!你也是其中一个吧!

You're one of them too, aren't you?!

Source: Tatoeba #788544 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ shì zhōng guó rén hái shì rì běn rén?你是中国人还是日本人?

Are you Chinese or Japanese?

Source: Tatoeba #335140 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bú shì zhōng guó rén.我不是中国人。

I'm not Chinese.

Source: Tatoeba #5581036 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 中 in context

  1. Say zhōng / zhòng, then recall the core meaning: middle.
  2. Write all 4 strokes while keeping the single body balanced.
  3. Use it in 中国 (Zhōng guó), meaning “China”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 中 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.