河 Stroke Order — How to Write 河

Stroke Order

河 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 氵, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

河 Radical and Character Components

Components:氵可

河 is a phono-semantic compound: 氵 (water) carries the meaning, while 可 indicates the sound.

Radical: 氵 + 5 more strokes

河 Pronunciation and Pinyin

Meanings of 河 in Chinese

hé河

A general term for natural waterways, such as rivers, canals, and streams. It can also refer to related features like riverbeds, river valleys, riverbanks, river transport, or freshwater aquatic products (river fresh).

这条河的河水清澈见底，有很多小鱼在里面游动。

The water in this river is crystal clear, with many small fish swimming in it.

Refers specifically to the Yellow River in China, often in geographical contexts like 'Hetao' (the Hetao region) or 'Hefang' (Yellow River defense).

河套地区盛产优质小麦。

The Hetao region is abundant in high-quality wheat.

Refers to the Milky Way, often seen in poetic or descriptive contexts like 'Tianhe' (celestial river) or 'Hehan'.

夏夜，仰望星空，天河璀璨。

On a summer night, looking up at the starry sky, the Milky Way is dazzling.

Common Words and Phrases with 河

hé河àn岸

The bank or side of a river.

孩子们在河岸边玩耍。

Children are playing on the river bank.

hé河běi北bāng梆zi子

Hebei Bangzi, a local opera style from Hebei province, China.

爷爷最喜欢看河北梆子，每逢剧团来村里演出，他都会早早地去占个好位置

Grandpa loves watching Hebei Bangzi; whenever an opera troupe performs in the village, he always goes early to secure a good seat.

hé河biān边

riverbank or riverside

小鸟在河边清脆地歌唱。

Little birds sing melodiously by the river.

hé河bīn滨

riverlet

孩子们喜欢在河滨玩耍，清澈的河水带来许多乐趣。

Children love playing by the small river, where the clear water brings much joy.

hé河bó伯

He Bo (Hébó), the River God of the Yellow River in ancient Chinese mythology.

古代人们相信河伯掌管着黄河的潮涨潮落，是这一区域重要的神祇。

Ancient people believed that Hebo, the God of the Yellow River, controlled its tides, making him an important deity in that region.

hé河cáo槽

The bottom of a river; a riverbed.

大雨过后，河槽里的水流变得湍急。

After the heavy rain, the water flow in the riverbed became rapid.

hé河chà叉

A place where a branch of a river enters a larger stream or body of water; a river fork or confluence.

这座小村庄坐落在两条河流的河叉处，风景优美

This small village is located at the confluence of two rivers, offering beautiful scenery.

hé河chuān川

a general term for rivers

这条河川流经美丽的乡村，滋养着两岸的田野。

This river flows through beautiful countryside, nourishing the fields on both banks.

hé河chuáng床

riverbed

在旱季，这条小溪的河床完全暴露在阳光下。

In the dry season, the riverbed of this stream is completely exposed to the sunlight.

hé河dào道

A river course; a waterway where a river flows, often referring to a navigable one.

这条河道蜿蜒穿过小镇，是当地居民的重要交通线。

This river channel winds through the small town and is an important transportation route for local residents.

hé河dī堤

a bank or wall built along a river to prevent it from overflowing, also known as a dike or levee.

工人们正在加固河堤，以防洪水。

The workers are reinforcing the river levee to prevent flooding.

hé河dǐ底

river bottom

孩子们在河底发现了许多光滑的石头。

The children discovered many smooth stones at the river bottom.

hé河dōng东

Hedong (河东) is an ancient regional name in China, referring to the area east of a section of the Yellow River, largely corresponding to present-day Shanxi Province.