初 (chū) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 初 (chū) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 初 (chū) means "beginning / initial / first". It is an HSK Level 3 character, with 7 strokes and the radical 刀.

Q: How do you write 初 stroke by stroke?

初 has 7 strokes. The radical is 刀. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 初 and 㓞?

初 (chū) and 㓞 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 初?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 刀. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 初?

Common words containing 初 include: 初级 (chū jí) — elementary / beginner level; 初中 (chū zhōng) — junior high school; 当初 (dāng chū) — At that time; originally.

How to Write 初

The character 初 (chū) is written with 7 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 刀 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

初 is pronounced chū in Mandarin Chinese. It means beginning / initial / first.

As an HSK Level 3 character, 初 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 初

初级 chū jí

elementary / beginner level

初中 chū zhōng

junior high school

当初 dāng chū

At that time; originally

Example Sentences

我在读初级汉语。

wǒ zài dú chū jí hàn yǔ

I am studying elementary Chinese.

我弟弟在上初中。

wǒ dì di zài shàng chū zhōng

My younger brother is in junior high school.

当初他就在这里。

dāng chū tā jiù zài zhè lǐ

He was right here at that time.

Similar Characters

㓞 qià

刍 chú

券 quàn

Practice Writing 初 (chū)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 初 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 初

What does 初 (chū) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 初 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 初 and 㓞?

What mistakes do learners make writing 初?

What common words use 初?

How to Write 初 (chū)