Stroke count method

The Stroke Count Method (simplified Chinese: 笔画; pinyin: bǐ huà) is an input method editor used for entering Chinese characters on mobile phones and other electronic devices which is based on the order of the strokes of hand-written characters. This input system simplifies character entry by using only 5 different keys that each denote a different stroke:

1. A horizontal stroke from left to right (simplified Chinese: 横; pinyin: héng)
2. A vertical stroke from top to bottom (simplified Chinese: 竖; pinyin: shù)
3. A long diagonal stroke downward from right to left (simplified Chinese: 撇; pinyin: piě)
4. A very short dash stroke downward from left to right (simplified Chinese: 点; pinyin: diǎn)
5. A horizontal stroke from left to right, ending with a downwards hook to the left (simplified Chinese: 捺; pinyin: nà)

Some people find this method of entering characters into a mobile phone to be faster than pinyin. In fact, many Chinese people - particularly in the southern regions of China like Hong Kong and Macau - do not learn pinyin, and must rely solely on this method of entering characters on their phones.

See also

• Chinese input methods for computers
• Eight principles of yong: how stroke styles is taught to student calligraphers