该
Character learning workspace

gāi · should, ought to, must

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

Frequency #116
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 该

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 该 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.

讠Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 该 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 该

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

gāiWords pronounced gāi
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 该 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ zhǐshì zài zuò wǒ gāi zuò de我只是在做我该做的

I am simply doing what I am supposed to.

Source: Tatoeba #13839301 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ hái shì yīnggāi mǎi nǐ de shū.我还是应该买你的书。

I still have to buy your book.

Source: Tatoeba #636202 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ běn bù gāi bǎ rén mài le de.你本不该把人卖了的。

You shouldn't have sold this to someone.

Source: Tatoeba #805011 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Gāi sǐ de! nǐ xià le wǒ yí dà tiào!该死的!你吓了我一大跳!

Shit! You scared me half to death!

Source: Tatoeba #706325 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhēn de gāi zǒu le.我真的该走了。

I really should be going.

Source: Tatoeba #9973713 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ gāi shàng xué qù le, bú shì ma?你该上学去了,不是吗?

It's high time you left for school, isn't it?

Source: Tatoeba #512894 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 该 in context

  1. Say gāi, then recall the core meaning: should, ought to, must.
  2. Write all 8 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 该 (gāi), meaning “should”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 该 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.