Glyph Reef

Master the building-block radicals, then forge whole characters from them — and crack the daily boss glyph.

How to play

Characters are built from smaller component radicals. Learn the radicals, then assemble the right ones to forge each target character, or break a character down into its parts. Radicals unlock before the characters that use them, so the reef builds up steadily until you face the daily boss glyph.

• Select the radicals that compose the target character
• Submit when your set forges the correct glyph
• Clear your selection to start a composition over
• Work up to the daily boss character

Controls

• Desktop: click radicals to add or remove them; use Clear and Submit
• Phone & tablet: tap radicals and buttons — fully touch-driven

Game modes

• Daily: the same characters and boss glyph for everyone each day
• Practice: a fresh selection every run
• Difficulty scales how many and how complex the characters get

Tips & strategy

• Learn what each radical means — it hints at the character's sense
• Look for a familiar component inside an unfamiliar character
• Build from the most distinctive radical first to narrow the answer

What you'll learn

Glyph Reef teaches Chinese characters through their radical components, building a system for reading them.

• Skills: Chinese characters, radicals, character recognition
• Best for: Chinese learners (teens and up)
• For parents & teachers: Chinese characters through their radicals.

About Glyph Reef

Glyph Reef is an original, free browser game that teaches Chinese characters through their radical components. It is built in-house and plays instantly online.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium — no download, no install. Browse all games →