Chinese characters, also called Hanzi, are the logographic characters used in the Chinese writing system. They are the oldest continuously used writing system in the world, with a history dating back to over 3,000 years.
There are two main ways to learn Chinese characters: traditional and simplified. Traditional characters are the older of the two character sets and are used in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and Chinese communities outside of mainland China. Simplified characters were introduced in mainland China in the 1950s to improve literacy rates and are now used throughout mainland China and Singapore.
While there are many different ways to learn Chinese characters, some of the most effective methods include:
1. Use a character chart.
One of the best ways to learn Chinese characters is to use a character chart. Character charts show the basic structure of a character, as well as how to write it. This can be a helpful way to learn the stroke order of a character and see how different characters are related to one another. Download our Free HSK Vocabulary Writing Practice Sheet to start practicing now.
2. Quiz.
Quizzes can be a great way to remember Chinese characters. Quizzes are a good memory aid that can help you recall Chinese characters more easily. AllMusing provides free unlimited access to all the HSK Vocabulary Quizzes. So practice daily with the HSK Vocabulary Quizzes and memorize all the commonly used Chinese characters in no time!
3. Practice writing characters.
One of the best ways to learn Chinese characters is to practice writing them. Writing characters can help you to remember their strokes and structure better. It can also be helpful to write characters in different contexts, such as in sentences or different words. AllMusing provides free Chinese practice writing sheets for download.
4. Use flashcards.
Flashcards can be a helpful way to learn Chinese characters. In addition, flashcards can help you review characters you have already learned and learn new characters.
5. Study frequently used characters.
Some Chinese characters are used more frequently than others. By studying these characters, you can learn how to read and write Chinese more quickly. Additionally, understanding these characters can also help you better understand the language’s overall structure.
The HSK 1 Storybook series is a very good resource for anyone who is a beginner at learning Chinese. It comes with free audio files and Chinese practice writing sheets. You will be familiar with 150 of the most common Chinese words and characters in no time!
6. Read Chinese storybooks.
Reading Chinese storybooks can be a great way to learn Chinese characters. By reading, you can see how characters are used in different contexts. Reading can also help you better understand the grammar and structure of the Chinese language.
The HSK 1 Storybooks consist of multiple short Chinese stories, which are easy for Chinese learners to grasp. Reading the Chinese stories and the free audio files will make it easy for beginners to follow the stories.
7. Watch Chinese movies and television shows.
Watching Chinese movies and television shows can be a fun and effective way to learn Chinese characters. By watching, you can see how characters are used in everyday situations. Additionally, you can also learn about the different dialects of Chinese.
Netflix has a variety of Chinese tv series and movies available. One of the all the time favorite is “The Untamed“. The long form synopsis is on mydramalist.
Netflix synopsis: In a magical world of inter-clan rivalry, two soulmates face treacherous schemes and uncover a dark mystery linked to a tragic event in the past.
If you incorporate all the above suggestions into your daily learning of the Chinese language, it will be apparent to you that learning Chinese could be fun and easy too!