侧
Character learning workspace

cè / zhāi · side

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

HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #2493
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Learn every stroke in 侧

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

Readings & meanings

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

cè

the side; to incline towards; to lean

侧面cè miàn · lateral side
zhāi

lean on one side

Step-by-step explorer

See how 侧 is constructed

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

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

8Total strokes

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

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

亻Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 侧 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 侧

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

cèthe side; to incline towards; to lean
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Example sentences

Notice where 侧 sits in each complete thought.

Tāng mǔ zuò le yí gè cè kōng fān.汤姆做了一个侧空翻。

Tom did a cartwheel.

Source: Tatoeba #1877995 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zì xíng chē zài qì chē de yòu cè xíng shǐ shì bù hé fǎ de.自行车在汽车的右侧行驶是不合法的。

Bicycles traveling to the right of automobiles is illegal.

Source: Tatoeba #8603787 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zì xíng chē cóng yòu cè chāo guò qì chē shì bù hé fǎ de.自行车从右侧超过汽车是不合法的。

It is illegal for bicycles to pass on the right of cars.

Source: Tatoeba #333124 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Kào yòu cè tōng xíng.靠右侧通行。

Keep to the right.

Source: Tatoeba #1411709 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ niǎn zhuǎn fǎn cè, fǎn fù sī kǎo zhe bái tiān fā shēng de shì, hòu huǐ bù yǐ.我辗转反侧,反复思考着白天发生的事,后悔不已。

I'm tossing and turning, repeatedly thinking about what happened today, deeply remorseful.

Source: Tatoeba #10041953 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 侧 in context

  1. Say cè / zhāi, then recall the core meaning: side.
  2. Write all 8 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 侧面 (cè miàn), meaning “lateral side”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 侧 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.