How to write 在 (zài) — stroke order
在 (zài) means “at, in.” It is written with 6 strokes, and its radical is 土 (tǔ, “earth”). The strokes go 横, 撇, 竖, 横, 竖, 横. Use it right away in a real line: 在这儿吃 (Zài zhèr chī), “I'll eat here.”
- Strokes
- 6
- Radical
- 土 (tǔ, “earth”) · Kangxi 32
- Meaning
- at, in
- Traditional
- 在 (same)
Watch it, then trace it
Tap Watch strokes for the order. Tap Trace it and draw each stroke with your finger or mouse.
zài
Stroke order, step by step
- 1 横
- 2 撇
- 3 竖
- 4 横
- 5 竖
- 6 横
- Stroke 1 of 6 · 横 héng (horizontal): starts at the top left, goes to the right.
- Stroke 2 of 6 · 撇 piě (left-falling): starts at the top, goes down to the right, then down to the left.
- Stroke 3 of 6 · 竖 shù (vertical): starts at the middle left, goes down.
- Stroke 4 of 6 · 横 héng (horizontal): starts at the centre, goes to the right.
- Stroke 5 of 6 · 竖 shù (vertical): starts at the centre, goes down.
- Stroke 6 of 6 · 横 héng (horizontal): starts at the bottom left, goes to the right.
Writing tip
Across, then the long sweep to the left; the 土 inside is written last.
Lines on Hanyuwu with 在
- 在这儿吃 Zài zhèr chī — I'll eat here.Here 在 is said zài.
Questions
How many strokes does 在 have?
在 has 6 strokes. Across, then the long sweep to the left; the 土 inside is written last.
What is the radical of 在?
The radical of 在 is 土 (tǔ, “earth”), Kangxi radical 32.
How do you pronounce 在?
Zài, fourth tone. In 在这儿吃 it keeps that tone.
Is 在 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 在 is written the same way in traditional Chinese.
Printable practice sheet for 在
Stroke animation: Hanzi Writer (MIT). Stroke shapes: Make Me a Hanzi via hanzi-writer-data, derived from Arphic PL fonts, Arphic Public License. Stroke counts: Unihan 17.0.0. Credits and licences