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How to learn to read and write Chinese characters (Part 1)

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Uploaded by on Jan 2, 2012

This two part video series introduces how to approach learning to read and write Chinese characters, types of characters, how they are put together and answers some common questions.

Basic guidelines for writing Chinese characters

http://www.oxfordlanguagedictionaries.com/view/Document.html?filename=/oldo/r...

Radicals (the basic components that make up characters)

http://www.archchinese.com/arch_chinese_radicals.html
http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Lang%20work/Radicals/Strokes&Radicals.htm (some simple examples)

Character etymologies (break down of how they are put together)

http://www.archchinese.com
http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/character-dictionary.php
http://www.zhongwen.com

Stroke order animations (how to write demos for each character)

http://www.archchinese.com
http://www.nciku.com/
downloadable software packages (wenlin, dimsum)

Most frequently used Chinese characters

http://www.zein.se/patrick/3000char.html

Reading and learning tools

http://pinyin.sogou.com/ (pinyin input method for typing in chinese. To download, click the big green button in the middle of the website. Install is in Chinese but keep pressing next to move through the install. When installed, you can activate it with CTRL-Space)

http://www.wenlin.com/ (excellent software for learning chinese, mouseover dictionary, character breakdowns, stroke order demos etc)

DIMSUM software:

http://www.mandarintools.com/dimsum.html (reading aid and dictionary, free software)

http://ankisrs.net/ (flashcard software for testing yourself vocab or characters)
http://www.pleco.com/ (excellent dictionary for iphone, ipad, android)
http://www.skritter.com/ (character learning for iphone)

Books For Character Learning (Just some examples)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chinese-Characters-Learn-Remember-Meanings/dp/0982232...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Remembering-Simplified-Hanzi-Meaning-Characters/dp/08...

Textbooks (again, just a few of my choices)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Chinese-complete-beginners-Languages/dp/023...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Mandarin-Chinese-Book-Pack/dp/0340958944/ref...

Beijing Language and Culture University Press - New Practical Chinese Reader (Series)

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Uploader Comments (gaoyoude1)

  • Thank you very much for this amazing video, it´s got a bundle of important information that we need to know before starting learning this elegant tonal language. I have to admit that even for someone who has already a sturdy basis on the language, this video provides new tools. You´re such a gifted guy, your mandarin accent is very clear. What you mentioned on the other video is exactly true, the more we study, the more we can get new vocabulary as you did with that chinese menu. ZHUHENI

  • @Bettiobrazil Thanks so much for your kind words! Good luck with your own studies of Chinese :-)

  • You should be a teacher! You have a very good narrating voice and you really broke down everything to basics, which is the way I learn. You just got me interested in Chinese, thank you!!!

  • @DeepTimeUnit37 Great to hear it. Thanks for your comment and hope your interest in Chinese continues!

  • If you would like to read a chinese paper in the United States or the UK, or in China which type of characters should you learn to study - simplified or traditional.

  • @614jgirl Yeah, in the U.S I would say that most of the Chinese language newspapers are in traditional characters, whereas in China they are all printed in simplified characters

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  • @gaoyoude1 Thank you for your reply. I´ll do my very best in order to develop my skills on Chinese language, because I do love China and Chinese, as you can see if you check my channel. May God always abound His love upon you through His son Yeshua Hamashiah Immanuel.

  • You are really awesome! Cheer up from Hong Kong =)

  • Excellent explanation. Thank you very much.

  • @614jgirl I've seen 2 different Chinese newspapers in my area and both used traditional :/

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