色
Character learning workspace

sè / shǎi · color, tint, hue, shade

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

Frequency #1863
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 色

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

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

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

sè

color; look; appearance

白色bái sè · white
shǎi

(coll.) color; used in 色子[shai3 zi5]

Step-by-step explorer

See how 色 is constructed

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

Loading stroke diagrams…

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

6Total strokes

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

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

色Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 色 writing sheet

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

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

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

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 色

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

sècolor; look; appearance
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 色 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ de mǎ shì bái sè de.我的马是白色的。

My horse is white.

Source: Tatoeba #2778259 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ xiǎng yào zōng sè de xié, bú shì hēi sè de.我想要棕色的鞋,不是黑色的。

I want brown shoes, not black ones.

Source: Tatoeba #3667817 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de shū shì hóng sè de.他的书是红色的。

His book is red.

Source: Tatoeba #3148915 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de xīn shì lǜ sè hé huáng sè de.我的心是绿色和黄色的。

My heart is green and yellow.

Source: Tatoeba #1516449 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè shì wǒ jiàn guò zuì měi de jǐng sè le.这是我见过最美的景色了。

This is the most beautiful sight that I have ever seen.

Source: Tatoeba #332614 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā shì wèi chū sè de zuò jiā.他是位出色的作家。

He is a good writer.

Source: Tatoeba #13656906 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 色 in context

  1. Say sè / shǎi, then recall the core meaning: color, tint, hue, shade.
  2. Write all 6 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 白色 (bái sè), meaning “white”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 色 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.