Characters
Nature & Elements
Many of the oldest characters depict nature. Their shapes are pictographic.
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| rì | sun / day | A circle with a mark inside | |
| yuè | moon / month | A crescent | |
| shān | mountain | Three peaks | |
| shuǐ | water | A flowing stream | |
| huǒ | fire | Flames rising | |
| mù | tree / wood | A tree with branches and roots | |
| tǔ | earth / soil | A mound on the ground | |
| shí | stone | A rock under a cliff |
Two 木 stacked side-by-side become 林 (lín, forest); three become 森 (sēn, dense forest).
Quiz
Pick the best answer for each question. You get feedback right away.
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日 means:
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What do two 木 side-by-side (林) mean?
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Which character means "mountain"?