Published Characters
Browse published characters with pinyin and meanings.
102 characters
发Published
Pinyinfā
MeaningIn modern Chinese, 发 most commonly means “to send out” or “to let something out,” such as to send a message, issue something, or emit/produce (sound, light, emotion). It can also mean “to grow/develop” (like hair growing or an economy developing) and, in some words, “to become rich” (as in 发财 “get rich”).
以Published
Pinyinyǐ
Meaning“以” is a very common function word that often means “with/by/using” (showing the tool, method, or basis for something), or “in order to/so as to” (showing purpose). It can also be used before time words to mean “from/since” and appears in many fixed expressions and classical-style sentences.
从Published
Pinyincóng
Meaning“从” most often means “to follow” or “to go along with,” and by extension “to obey” or “to comply with” (as in 听从, 服从). It is also used in words and patterns meaning “from (a place, time, or source)” (as in 从北京来 “come from Beijing,” or 从早到晚 “from morning to night”).
中Published
Pinyinzhōng
MeaningChinese character **“中”** mainly means **“middle / center”** (e.g., in the middle of something, the central part, or being moderate). It is also used in words related to **China or Chinese** (e.g., 中国 “China”, 中文 “Chinese language”).
点Published
Pinyindiǎn
Meaning“点” literally means “dot” or “point,” and is used for small spots or marks (like a dot in writing, a spot of color, a decimal point). It also commonly means “a little bit” (as in a small amount of something), “o’clock” for telling time, and “to order” (as in ordering food in a restaurant).
法Published
Pinyinfǎ
MeaningThe Chinese character “法” mainly means “law” or “rules” (as in legal systems, regulations, or methods people should follow). It can also mean a “method/way of doing something” in a broader sense, such as a technique, approach, or practice (including in Buddhism, where it can mean “the teachings” or “the Dharma”).
大Published
Pinyindà
MeaningThe Chinese character “大” mainly means “big” or “large” in size, degree, or importance. It can also describe adults or older people (e.g., “big brother” for an older brother) and appears in many words related to greatness or magnitude.
有Published
Pinyinyǒu
MeaningIn modern Chinese, **有 (yǒu)** mainly means **“to have; to possess”** (e.g., 我有书 “I have a book”) and can also mean **“there is/are”** to indicate existence (e.g., 桌子上有一只猫 “There is a cat on the table”). In some set phrases and older usage, it can also mean **“to exist, to occur, or to experience”**, but for beginners the key ideas are “have” and “there is/are.”
过Published
Pinyinguò
Meaning“过” most commonly means “to pass” or “to go past” something (a place, time, or event), and by extension “to have experienced” something (as in “我去过中国” – “I have been to China”). It can also mean “to cross” (a road/river), “to spend” (time or a holiday), or “fault/mistake” when used as a noun (as in “过错” – “error, fault”).
起Published
Pinyinqǐ
MeaningIn Chinese, **起 (qǐ)** mainly means “to rise” or “to get up,” and by extension “to start” or “to begin” an action or event. It also appears in many common patterns like **起床** (get out of bed), **想得起** (can remember), or **从这里起** (starting from here).