How to learn to read and write Chinese characters (Part 2)

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)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• learning
• how
• to
• write
• read
• chinese
• characters
• simplified
• traditional
• china
• languages

[0oBlue]

This is really awesome for Chinese learners!

Is there a similar program for Japanese kanji ???

[mindstate30]

Awesome video!

[sprachbegeistert]

Very useful tips. Thank you so much for another outstanding video.

[sparklingkristen]

the recommend software is really useful for anyone wants learn chinese!!thanks!

[leviathin23]

Hey thanks for the videos and the inspiration! I just learned that the strokes have names. Do any of these materials that you recommend cover this? Thanks again

-Alan Fowler