Level 3 · Unit 8 Animals & Wildlife

How to Write 虎 (hǔ)

Meaning: "Tiger"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 虎

The character 虎 (Traditional: 虎) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Tiger". In our Level 3 curriculum, we focus on the 8-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Animals & Wildlife, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

老虎 lǎohǔ lou5 fu2
tiger
虎口 hǔkǒu fu2 hau2
tiger's mouth; dangerous place

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 虎 is built on the radical 虍 (141). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

A pictograph of a tiger showing its head, stripes, and tail.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 老虎在森林里狩猎。

Lǎohǔ zài sēnlín lǐ shòuliè.

Traditional: 老虎在森林裡狩獵。

Lou5 fu2 zoi6 sam1 lam4 lei5 sau3 lip6.

"The tiger is hunting in the forest."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as hǔ. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is fu2. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '虎'?

A) Tiger
B) Lion
C) Dragon
D) Bear

Other Characters in Level 3 Unit 8

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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