书法 (shūfǎ): calligraphy

Meanings

1 calligraphy
2 penmanship

Characters

书

Examples

他的书法写得非常漂亮。

Tā de shūfǎ xiě de fēicháng piàoliang.

His calligraphy is beautifully written.

我在学习中国书法。

Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngguó shūfǎ.

I'm studying Chinese calligraphy.

这幅书法作品价值很高。

Zhè fú shūfǎ zuòpǐn jiàzhí hěn gāo.

This calligraphy piece is very valuable.

Tips

culture

书法 is one of the 'Four Arts' (琴棋书画) of Chinese scholars: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

usage

The five main styles of Chinese calligraphy: 楷书 (regular), 行书 (running), 草书 (cursive), 隶书 (clerical), 篆书 (seal).

In Pop Culture

入木三分 rùmù-sānfēn

penetrating three-tenths of an inch into wood

Idiom about Wang Xizhi's powerful brushstrokes.

Stroke Order

书 shū

法 fǎ

Related Words

法书 fǎshū #27,700

model calligraphy; exemplary calligraphic work / calligraphy worthy of being a model or standard

软笔书法 ruǎnbǐ shūfǎ

brush calligraphy / soft-brush calligraphy (traditional Chinese calligraphy)

硬笔书法 yìngbǐ shūfǎ

hard-pen calligraphy (pen/pencil calligraphy, as opposed to brush)

说法 shuōfǎ HSK 5 #2,306

way of saying something; wording; formulation / statement; version (of events); argument

手法 shǒufǎ HSK 5 #4,335

technique; method; skill / trick; gimmick (negative) / artistic technique (in writing, painting, etc.)

违法 wéifǎ HSK 5 #3,751

illegal; unlawful / to break the law

证书 zhèngshū HSK 5 #8,461

certificate; credentials / diploma; certification

书桌 shūzhuō HSK 5 #13,181

desk / writing desk

法规 fǎguī HSK 5 #10,457

laws and regulations; legislation / statute; regulation

书房 shūfáng HSK 6 #8,263

study (room); home office / library (in a traditional house)