Level 3 · Unit 4 Clothing & Adjectives

How to Write 袖 (xiù)

Meaning: "Sleeve"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
Loading stroke data...
🖨️ Print Practice Sheet for This Word

Detailed Mastery Guide for 袖

The character 袖 (Traditional: 袖) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Sleeve". In our Level 3 curriculum, we focus on the 11-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 Clothing & Adjectives, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

袖子 xiùzi zau6 zi2
Sleeve
袖手旁觀 xiùshǒupángguān zau6 sau2 pong4 gun1
To look on with folded arms; to stand by and watch

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 袖 is built on the radical 衣 (145). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: 衣 (clothing) + 由 (phonetic component), indicating the part of a garment covering the arm.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 他把手插进袖子里。

Tā bǎ shǒu chā jìn xiùzi lǐ.

Traditional: 他把手插進袖子裡。

taa1 baa2 sau2 caap3 zeon3 zau6 zi2 leoi5.

"He put his hands into his sleeves."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as xiù. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is zau6. 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 '袖'?

A) Sleeve
B) Collar
C) Pocket
D) Button

Other Characters in Level 3 Unit 4

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

We built this site to ensure everyone has access to free stroke order visualizers without annoying paywalls or trial limits. If you find it helpful, supporting us on Ko-fi helps keep the site running!

☕ Support Us on Ko-fi