Traditional Chinese writing is composed of Chinese characters.
These characters are totally different from English (and pinyin). Characters are logograms. Logograms represent units of meaning in a language, NOT sounds.
All characters have meaning and order! They are not random lines.
Characters are like Legos, or Minecraft blocks. You can take Chinese characters apart, then put them back together again in different combinations. MIX AND MATCH!
The "three levels" of traditional Chinese writing are: radicals, characters, and words.
Radicals: the parts of a character. There are only a few radicals, but put them in different combinations and you can make any Chinese character.
Characters: a shape that represents a unit of meaning in the language.
In Chinese, one character is almost always one syllable.
Each character is made up of of smaller, individual parts (radicals). Characters can also be put together to form larger words or phrases.
Words: just like the words we have in English. Words are made up of small, individual characters. Modern Chinese words are usually composed of two characters (i.e. 你好 = nǐ hǎo).
Lesson
Click for the STORY QUEST
Click for the TEACHING SLIDES
Practice
LEARN MORE: Explore the website Zhongwen.com. Pick a radical and write down some of the the characters and words that are created out of radical.
GRIND: Practice handwriting some Chinese characters!
Mastery
QUIZ: Sort the following examples of Chinese writing into different categories. Identify the relationships among the samples. Explain whether the example is a radical, a character, or a word.
LEARN MORE: On the New Concept Mandarin website, watch the video in the "Introduction to Character Writing" section.
TRAIN: Identify a character that you find challenging to write. Create a mnemonic to help you write that character.
TRAIN: Practice handwriting characters.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese radicals in Chapter 10.
BONUS: Handwrite the radicals in the correct stroke order.
Chapter 11: "Rebirth"
HOW TO RECOGNIZE BASIC CHINESE PHRASES
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
很(hěn) very
好(hǎo) good
很好(hěn hǎo) very good
明(míng) bright; next; to understand
白(bái) white; clear
明白(míng bái) to understand
吗?(ma) question particle for yes/no questions
明白吗?(míng bái ma) understand, yes?
熊老师Xióng Lǎo Shī [name]
毛毛Máo Máo [name]
Lesson
Click for the STORY QUEST
Click for the TEACHING SLIDES
Practice
TRAIN: Identify a phrase or character that you find challenging to remember. Create a mnemonic to help you remember that phrase.Practice handwriting characters.
FLASHCARDS: Study the "Level 0: C" list on Quizlet.