The Best Way to Learn Chinese Characters: Hanzi in 3 Easy Steps
The degrees of success individuals experience when learning Chinese characters depends mostly on how they structure their learning. When studying this particular subject matter, it is crucial that you break everything down into individual components. This text will explain three significant components you have to understand to enjoy a successful learning experience.
Radicals
To beginning learners, each of the thousands of Chinese characters appears to be unique and different. That, however, is not the truth. The majority of characters are, in fact, compilations of recycled elements, parts that can be identified and simplified. These reoccurring elements are termed radicals. Radicals are categories of thought developed by the ancient Chinese to explain the physical world around them. While some characters are radicals alone, most modern Chinese characters are combinations of radical and phonetic components. According to the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press in Beijing, there are 189 radicals used to organize Chinese Characters, fifty of which are thought to be essential for understanding basic communication. Become familiar with these Chinese radicals, and you will open the floodgate of development and understanding.
Study a Little Bit Every Day
This is old news, as they say, in the education field–it doesn’t make a difference if you’re learning Chinese characters or Chilean cooking. The piece of advice is worth repeating here, however, since it is really important, yet so frequently ignored. If you fall into a routine of sitting down, studying lots of characters, and then putting your book aside for a week or two, you are going to be disappointed with your development. At some point, you are likely to become frustrated and give up studying altogether. If you learn a few characters regularly, in contrast, without missing days, you will gradually understand the patterns inherent in Chinese writing. You’ll begin to see how the radicals work, how they repeat, and how you can use them to group and categorize characters depending on their meanings. This sort of comprehension will only come to you if you work gradually and frequently, so do yourself a favor and be the tortoise, not the hare.
The Importance of Writing
As explained above, Chinese characters are made of individual components, as well as strokes. In order to understand the meaning of the characters, you have to be capable of identify its elements. Because of this, it is crucial that you practice writing the characters, even if your end goal is to be capable of, for instance, read through a Chinese newspaper.
To understand how to write Chinese characters, you should get a book; web-based products are often deficient with regards to teaching writing skills. Be certain to purchase a book that describes, in detail, the 8 basic strokes used to make Chinese characters. Ensure that it also describes the proper order in which the strokes have to be composed. Lastly, when studying how to write the characters, use paper specifically made for the task–it has quadrants that aid you in writing appropriately.
Final Thoughts
Learning Chinese characters can be an interesting and enjoyable learning experience, or it can be a lesson in aggravation and failure. To make certain you have a satisfying and prosperous learning experience, obtain a good understanding of Chinese radicals, study at a slow and constant pace, and get a lot of writing practice.
Good luck with this and all of your future learning efforts.
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