Chinese Character Stroke Order Basics
All Chinese characters builds up from basic strokes. The simplest ones have only one stroke while the more complex ones can have more than 20-30 strokes. Writing characters in the correct order is essential for the character to look correct. the basic rules for the stroke order:
1. left to right and top to bottom
2. horizontal before vertical
3. horizontal and vertical stokes which pass over other strokes
4. diagonals (right-to-left and then left-to-right)
5. center verticals and then outside diagonals
6. outside strokes before inside stokes
7. left verticals before enclosing stokes
8. bottom enclosing strokes
9. dots and minor strokes
The most important rules - from top to bottom and from left to right - are easily understandable, since they are used in Western writings, too. The others on the contrary need a few exercise. Be sure to learn from the beginning the correct way each different character should be written; otherwise you may find yourself repeating the same mistakes over and over without realizing it, especially when you'll know hundreds of characters.
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