How to Write 习 (xí) — Meaning “to practice; to study; habit”

Picture a small bird learning to fly: the top hook is its body, the dot is its tiny head, and the bottom line is the branch it sits on. Every time you see 习, remember the bird 'practicing' to fly until it becomes a 'habit'.

Start with a horizontal hook that curves slightly downward — do not make it too vertical. Then place a small dot inside the hook's curve, and finish with a horizontal line that extends equally to both sides. A common mistake is forgetting the dot or making the hook too large.

乙 is just a single hook stroke, meaning 'second' or 'hook', while 习 adds a dot and a horizontal line to form a complete character meaning 'to practice'. 㐌 is a rare ancient character used in names and is not used in modern Chinese — you won't encounter it in daily life.

习 appears in common HSK1 words like 学习 (to study) and 习惯 (habit). It is also a famous surname, notably of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The traditional form 習 contains feathers under the sun, symbolizing birds practicing flight every day — a cultural reminder that practice leads to mastery.

Common words containing 习 include: 学习 (xué xí) — To study; to learn; 习惯 (xí guàn) — habit; to be used to; 练习 (liàn xí) — to practice, exercise.