以
Character learning workspace

yǐ · according to

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

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #166
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 以

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
Step-by-step explorer

See how 以 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.

以
Complete decomposition unavailableThis character is currently indexed as a single visual form.
Writing notes

Shape and proportion

4Total strokes

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

Single-componentCharacter structure

Keep the whole form centered inside the writing square.

人Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 以 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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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 以

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

yǐWords pronounced yǐ
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 以 sits in each complete thought.

Nǐ kě yǐ kàn wǒ de.你可以看我的。

You can look at mine.

Source: Tatoeba #9507005 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ hěn máng, suǒ yǐ wǒ bù néng qù le.我很忙,所以我不能去了。

As I am busy, I cannot go.

Source: Tatoeba #819766 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ yǐ hòu zài yě bú huì kàn dào tā le.你以后再也不会看到它了。

You'll never see that again.

Source: Tatoeba #5094909 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā zài bú shì yǐ qián de tā le.他再不是以前的他了。

He is not what he was.

Source: Tatoeba #364354 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ yǐwéi zhè shì zhēn de.我以为这是真的。

I thought it was true.

Source: Tatoeba #1415728 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Kě yǐ de huà nǐ yě yì qǐ lái ba.可以的话你也一起来吧。

Come along with us if you like.

Source: Tatoeba #344984 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 以 in context

  1. Say yǐ, then recall the core meaning: according to.
  2. Write all 4 strokes while keeping the single-component balanced.
  3. Use it in 可以 (kě yǐ), meaning “can”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 以 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.