美 寿 吉 财 福 和 爱 德 喜 禄 汉 C HINESE 字 C HARACTERS Learn & Remember 2,178 Characters and Their Meanings Alan Hoenig, Ph.D #P E Z C h i n e s e y™ )WKFG Chinese Characters Learn & Remember 2,178 Characters and eir Meanings How to Retain the Meanings for More an 2000 of the Most Common Characters in Mandarin Chinese Alan Hoenig, Ph D Use an Innovative Memory Method To Put ‘Ease’ Into ‘Chinese’! S C E EZChinesey.com PO BOX 2346, HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK 11743 0 About the cover Cover design by Jim Hannan Cover photo shows the panda couple Mei Xiang (female, le) and Tian Tian (male, right) and appears courtesy of Ann Batdorf/Smithsonian’s National Zoo e red Chinese aracters are symbols of good lu and fortune Reading down, here are their meanings and official pinyin phonetic transliteration: beautiful (měi), longevity (shòu), luy (jí), wealth (cái), good fortune (fú), harmonious (hé), love (aì), virtue (dé), happiness (xǐ), and emolument (lù) e aracter on the spine is hóng (large, vast), the author’s Chinese surname e interior body types are drawn from the family of Linux Libertine fonts, designed by Philipp H Poll e typeseing was done by means of the XeTEX program of Jonathan Kew, itself an extension of Donald Knuth’s TEX typeseing program Copyright © by Alan Hoenig GBS..V.F.f All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America First Edition Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hoenig, Alan Chinese Characters: Learn & Remember , Characters and eir Meanings/ Alan Hoenig —st ed p cm Includes indices ISBN ---- Chinese language Mandarin language Chinese aracters HanZi aracters .EZC. , , , –– www.EZChinesey.com Dedicated to the memory of B H – loving mother, iconoclast, woman of valor 人去留影 Preface Chinese aracters have been in use for thousands of years, and despite arguments that have probably raged for about the same amount of time, the Chinese people have never bothered to reform these aracters in any meaningful way Oh, sure, in the mid-s, the People’s Republic did revamp a couple of thousand of them, thereby providing us with the so-called simplified aracter set (the subject of this volume), but you could argue that this step only made the situation—at least for us poor foreign students—ever more burdensome For now, it has become necessary to learn not one system, but both systems (traditional and simplified) in order to cope with mainland and overseas documents, as well as with the oceans of legacy documents that remain—older material printed before simplification Nevertheless, the very fact that these aracters have persevered for su a long time must mean something It means that in some allegorical and mystical sense they “want” to be learned, and indeed in my strictly empirical and anecdotal resear, I’ve not run into a person brought up in China who complained about all the work it took to learn them at’s cold comfort for us non-native speakers, and the purpose of this book is to advance a method whi makes this daunting task mu less so for us Please see the ‘Read Me First!’ introduction for a fuller, far more expansive discussion of this innovative method I will conclude this section with a plethora of anowledgments First off, I must point out that many of my ideas in this presentation drew upon the earlier work of James W Heisig and Miael Rowley dealing with Japanese kanji My old college um Chris Rider possesses critical acuity that I swear is second to none She graciously proofread the entire text, not only keeping silly errors to a minimum, but also ensuring that my lile stories stay on point, remain consistent, and maintain their pedagogical integrity—a far more demanding endeavor I am grateful beyond words Maers artistic were the province of Jim Hannan, who performed yeoman service in the design of the cover If you don’t agree, you can blame me, for I’m the one who transformed it (as best I could) to electronic media anks to Web-meister (and Meistersinger) Mit Clarvit for his expertise in seing up www.EZChinesey.com His bemused patience in the face of my fearsome naivety had to be seen to be believed CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS I fear that errors remain in this book, despite the scrupulous care I took (or aempted to take) Most of them are mine and mine alone, but not all I relied heavily on a small handful of remarkable reference works, but they did not always agree, and not knowing whom to follow in those instances may have led me down the wrong path e three books in this personal canon are the “Oxford Concise English-Chinese Chinese-English Dictionary” (I used the second edition); Ri Harbaugh’s “Chinese Characters: A Genealogy and Dictionary” (, published by Zhongwen.com; mine is the fourteenth printing); and the “Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary,” edited by John DeFrancis (, University of Hawai‘i Press) ese books, especially the last two, should be at hand to every serious student Speaking of errors, I hope that I can rely on you, gentle reader, to assist me in ruthlessly rooting them out If you find any mistakes, or if you have suggestions for improving the stories in any panels, or any suggestions for improvement whatsoever, and if you include permission for me to use this material in any and all subsequent editions and printings, then I will eerfully list the name of the first person who finds an error, and the names of all readers whose suggestions are incorporated into the volume Many thanks in advance Without my kids Hannah and Sam, this book would have been wrien in half the time! anks, kids Hey, Max, thank you, too My wife, Jozefa, has been, as she has so frequently in the past, my bulwark against stupor, discouragement, crankiness, and lassitude, the four horsemen of the authorial apocalypse More positively, she has supported and encouraged this venture with good eer, great advice, and unstinting love I deeply regret my mother not living to see this volume in print e example of her endlessly inventive creativity, nurturing care, and maternal love was a remarkable role model for myself and my siblings and, indeed, for anyone who knew her I therefore dedicate this book to her is one’s for you, Ma —Alan Hoenig Huntington, Long Island, New York August , : – vi – Table of Contents Preface v Read Me First! Abbreviations Used New Beginnings §§1–10 (10 frames) Onion-Like Layers §§11–20 (10 frames) Curiouser and Curiouser §§21–30 (10 frames) Action and Inaction §§31–48 (18 frames) Moving and Standing Still §§49–66 (18 frames) Up and Down §§67–84 (18 frames) From Side to Side §§85–102 (18 frames) Geing Stroked §§103–128 (26 frames) Wordplay and Word Play §§129–154 (26 frames) 10 In Nature’s Realm §§155–180 (26 frames) 11 More and More §§181–206 (26 frames) 12 Coming to Terms §§207–232 (26 frames) 13 Practice Makes Perfect §§233–258 (26 frames) 14 Hit the Ground Running §§259–284 (26 frames) 15 ere’s Always a Tomorrow §§285–310 (26 frames) 16 A Fighting Chance §§311–336 (26 frames) 17 Notions and Trifles §§337–362 (26 frames) 18 A Mighty Fortress… §§363–388 (26 frames) 19 Movers and Shakers §§389–414 (26 frames) 20 Looking Good §§415–440 (26 frames) 21 A Time to Sow, a Time to Reap §§441–466 (26 frames) 22 A Time to Sew, a Time to Rip §§467–492 (26 frames) 23 Cleaning the Sewers §§493–518 (26 frames) 24 Bits and Bytes §§519–544 (26 frames) 25 Clean Living §§545–570 (26 frames) 26 Fame and Fortune §§571–596 (26 frames) 27 Saving Face §§597–622 (26 frames) 28 Dogs and Cats §§623–648 (26 frames) 29 Doing Something About the Weather §§649–674 (26 frames) 30 One Door Closes, Another Opens §§675–700 (26 frames) 31 Four Legs Good, Two Legs Beer §§701–726 (26 frames) 32 Let Your Fingers Do the Walking §§727–752 (26 frames) 33 Here and ere §§753–778 (26 frames) 34 Animate and Inanimate §§779–804 (26 frames) 35 Stop and Go §§805–830 (26 frames) 36 A Picture is Worth One ousand Words §§831–856 (26 frames) CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS 37 Time Waits for No Man §§857–882 (26 frames) 38 Prophet and Profit §§883–908 (26 frames) 39 Less is More §§909–934 (26 frames) 40 Curves and Straightaways §§935–960 (26 frames) 41 Mighty Fine §§961–986 (26 frames) 42 Sooner or Later §§987–1012 (26 frames) 43 Silence is Golden §§1013–1038 (26 frames) 44 A Slice of Life §§1039–1064 (26 frames) 45 Looking Good §§1065–1090 (26 frames) 46 Twenty-four/Seven §§1091–1116 (26 frames) 47 Keeping Up §§1117–1142 (26 frames) 48 Not So Fast! §§1143–1168 (26 frames) 49 Hills and Dales §§1169–1194 (26 frames) 50 Clever Dus §§1195–1220 (26 frames) 51 Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral §§1221–1246 (26 frames) 52 A Veritable United Nations §§1247–1272 (26 frames) 53 Looking on the Bright Side §§1273–1298 (26 frames) 54 Tomorrow is Another Day §§1299–1324 (26 frames) 55 Power of Suggestion §§1325–1350 (26 frames) 56 A Bird in the Hand §§1351–1376 (26 frames) 57 Whatever You Say §§1377–1402 (26 frames) 58 Big Doings §§1403–1428 (26 frames) 59 Not So Fast! §§1429–1454 (26 frames) 60 Slow Down and Smell the Flowers §§1455–1480 (26 frames) 61 Buy Now, Pay Later §§1481–1506 (26 frames) 62 In the Blink of an Eye §§1507–1532 (26 frames) 63 One World, One Dream §§1533–1558 (26 frames) 64 Life is Like a Dream §§1559–1584 (26 frames) 65 Stopping and Starting §§1585–1610 (26 frames) 66 Big Doings §§1611–1636 (26 frames) 67 Masculine and Feminine §§1637–1662 (26 frames) 68 Widdershins §§1663–1688 (26 frames) 69 Arms Akimbo §§1689–1714 (26 frames) 70 e ing Speaks for Itself §§1715–1740 (26 frames) 71 Curiouser and Curiouser, Too §§1741–1766 (26 frames) 72 August Moon §§1767–1792 (26 frames) 73 Righteous Anger §§1793–1818 (26 frames) 74 aint Histories §§1819–1844 (26 frames) 75 Dance of Death §§1845–1870 (26 frames) 76 Sharper than a Serpent’s Tooth §§1871–1896 (26 frames) 77 Categorical Imperatives §§1897–1922 (26 frames) 78 Shadowy Realms §§1923–1948 (26 frames) – viii – TABLE OF CONTENTS 79 Two Up, ree Down §§1949–1974 (26 frames) 80 Step by Step §§1975–2000 (26 frames) 81 Poise §§2001–2026 (26 frames) 82 Prily Personifications §§2027–2052 (26 frames) 83 A Musical Comedy Administration §§2053–2078 (26 frames) 84 Foolish Consistencies §§2079–2104 (26 frames) 85 Silhouees and Shadows §§2105–2130 (26 frames) 86 e Wreted of the Earth §§2131–2156 (26 frames) 87 Autumnal oughts §§2157–2182 (26 frames) 88 Pacific Overtures §§2183–2208 (26 frames) 89 Urban Trendseers §§2209–2234 (26 frames) 90 Dastardly Effects §§2235–2260 (26 frames) 91 Finale Ultimo §§2261–2280 (20 frames) Appendix: On-line Resources Indices of Components and Definitions Component Index Definition Index Pin Yin Index – ix – piāo piāo () 飘§ 漂§ piào 票§ pīn 拼§ pín () 贫§ 频§ pǐn 品 § pīng 乒§ píng () 平§ 评§ 凭§ 瓶§ 冯 § 苹§ 萍§ pō () 坡§ 颇§ pó 婆§ pò () 破§ 迫§ pū () 扑 § 铺§ 仆 § pú 蒲§ pǔ () 普§ 浦§ 溥§ qī () 期§ 七 § 妻 § 欺§ 凄 § qí () 其§ 齐§ 骑 § 旗§ qǐ () 起 § 企 § 启 § 岂 § 乞§ qì () 气§ 器 § 弃§ 汽§ 契§ qià 恰 § qiān () 千 § 签§ 迁§ 牵 § 铅§ 佥§ qián () 前§ 钱§ 潜 § 乾§ qiǎn () 浅 § 遣§ PINYIN INDEX blow, dri about (413) qiàn dri, float (216) qiāng () tiet (216) spell (333) qiáng () poor (319) frequently, repeatedly (321) qiǎng product (19) qiāo ping-pong (296) qiáo () flat, level, even (233) comment, criticize (234) lean on, rely on (413) qiǎo () bole, vase, piter (414) ford a stream (181) qiē apple (234) qiě duweed (234) qiè slope, plain (373) qīn () slanting, tilting (375) old woman, matron, motherqín () in-law (374) broken, damaged (375) compel, force, coerce (423) qīng () dedicate oneself (46) spread, extend (352) fall forward (198) caail (343) qíng () general, universal (227) water’s edge (343) qǐng () broad, extensive (344) period of time (346) qìng seven (39) qióng () wife (130) deceive, eat (257) qiū () illy, sad (131) his, her, its, theirs (221) qiú () to make even (357) ride or sit astride (181) qū () banner, flag, emblem (445) rise (176) on tiptoe (76) open up (151) how could it be? (174) qǔ () beg* (415) air, spirit, vital energy (407) qù () vessel (80) discard, abandon, give up quán () (437) steam, vapor (407) contract, legal agreement (308) exactly, properly (191) quǎn thousand (56) quàn () sign one’s name (272) move* (426) lead along by holding sth (79) quē què () lead (metal) (409) together, unanimous (271) before, in front of (342) qún money, coins (267) rán () hide (117) male principle, heaven (416) rǎn shallow, superficial (118) send, dispat (440) ràng 欠 § 枪 § 腔§ 强 § 墙§ 抢 § 敲§ 桥§ 乔§ 瞧§ 巧§ 悄§ 切§ 且 § 妾§ 亲§ 侵§ 秦§ 勤§ 琴§ 清§ 轻§ 青§ 倾§ 情§ 晴§ 请§ 顷 § 庆 § 穷§ 琼§ 秋§ 丘 § 求 § 球 § 区§ 曲 § 趋 § 驱§ 屈 § 取§ 娶§ 去 § 趣§ 全 § 权§ 泉 § 拳§ 犬 § 券§ 劝§ 缺 § 却 § 确§ 雀§ 群§ 然 § 燃§ 染§ 让 § – – ràng owe, la (102) rifle, gun (178) body cavity (245) strong, powerful (182) wall (237) pillage, loot (177) to strike, beat (391) bridge (337) tall (337) look at (203) clever, ingenious (440) quiet, silent (248) cut, slice (308) moreover (11) I (woman’s form) (238) relatives (242) invade (207) Qin (dynasty) (272) diligent, hardworking (322) zither-like instrument (277) clear, clear up (347) light, agile (288) nature’s color, unripe (341) incline, lean (207) sentiment, sensibility (341) clear, fine (of weather) (354) ask, invite, polite request (347) in an instant (101) celebrate (143) impoverished, exhausted (319) fine jade (219) autumn (224) mound, lile hill (37) request, entreat (120) ball, sphere (120) administrative division (361) bend (33) hasten, hurry (108) drive (carriage, horse) (362) bend* (148) take, get, obtain (356) take a wife (356) go (156) interesting, to interest (380) entire (76) right, power, authority (369) spring, fountain (119) fist (232) dog (77) tiet, certificate (320) exhort, urge, persuade (386) be short of, la (113) now (storytelling) (157) true, authentic (347) sparrow (218) herd, crowd, flo (339) correct, so (164) burn, ignite (255) to dye (405) allow (131) rǎo rǎo rào rě rè () sǎ sà 扰§ 绕 § 惹§ 热§ 人 § 仁 § 忍§ 任 § 认 § 刃§ 扔§ 仍§ 日 § 容§ 荣 § 融 § 冗§ 柔§ 肉 § 如 § 乳§ 辱§ 入 § 软§ 瑞 § 锐§ 润 § 闰 § 若§ 弱 § 撒§ 萨§ sāi sài 塞§ 赛§ rěn rèn () rēng réng rì róng () rǒng róu ròu rú rǔ () rù ruǎn ruì () rùn () ruò () sān 三 § sàn 散§ sāng () 丧 § 桑§ sǎo 扫 § sè () 色§ 瑟§ sēn 森 § sēng 僧§ shā () 杀§ 沙§ 莎§ 刹§ shá 啥 § shǎ 傻§ shān 山 § shǎn 闪 § shàn () 善§ 扇 § shāng () 商§ 伤§ shǎng 赏§ shàng () 上 § 尚§ PINYIN INDEX disturb, bother (326) shāo () wind, coil (168) to provoke, exasperate (325) shaó hot, fervent (409) shǎo man (73) shào benevolence (194) shé () bear, endure, forbear (317) assume a post (194) recognize, know (133) shě blade edge (317) shè () throw, toss (304) still, yet, again and again (312) day, sun (22) allow, tolerate (247) honorable (90) shēn () melt, thaw (183) superfluous, redundant (410) so, supple, gentle (320) meat (74) shén () be like (125) breast, milk (407) shěn disgrace, insult (366) shèn () enter, receive, take in (105) so, pliant (316) shēng () auspicious (29) sharp, acute (266) moist, so (117) intercalary month (51) shéng seem, like, if (325) shěng weak, feeble, inferior (37) shèng () scaer, sprinkle (402) Buddha, kind-hearted person (253) fill, stuff in (264) shī () compete, game, competition (263) three (9) break up, distribute (402) mourning (108) mulberry tree (385) shí () sweep (17) color, look (430) rustling sound (288) full of trees (85) monk (237) kill (360) sand (295) shǐ () katydid (295) to brake a car (360) what? (dialect) (76) muddleheaded (387) mountain (14) lightning (75) good, kind (232) shì () fan, leaf (151) trade, business (239) injure, wound (312) admire (231) on (46) still, yet (230) 烧§ 稍§ 勺 § 少§ 绍§ 折 § 蛇 § 舌 § 舍 § 社§ 设§ 射§ 涉§ 摄§ 身§ 深§ 申 § 伸 § 什 § 神§ 审 § 甚§ 慎§ 生 § 声 § 升§ 牲 § 绳 § 省§ 胜§ 圣§ 剩§ 师§ 失 § 施§ 诗 § 尸 § 湿§ 时 § 实 § 十 § 识§ 石§ 食§ 拾 § 使§ 始 § 史§ 驶§ 矢 § 豕§ 是 § 事 § 世 § 市 § 式 § 士 § 示§ – – shì burn, cook, run a fever (253) slightly, somewhat (248) spoon (136) few, lile (295) connect, introduce (309) broken (sti, rope) (36) snake, serpent (183) tongue (56) give up (76) society, group (439) set up, found, establish (407) to shoot (323) wade, ford (299) absorb, assimilate (384) body (323) deep (222) express (19) stret, extend (195) what (194) god, divinity (439) examine, go over (61) very, extremely (221) cautious, careful (215) give birth to (50) sound, voice (150) raise, hoist (331) domestic animal (50) rope (168) economize, be frugal (295) win victory, succeed, excel (349) sage, saint (380) remain, be le over (417) teaer, master (335) lose (95) execute, carry out (446) poem, poetry (133) corpse (147) wet, damp (227) time (54) solid, substantial (79) ten (10) know, recognize (219) stone, ro (277) eat* (376) pi up (111) have sb sth (363) begin, start (161) history (363) sail, (vehicle) moves quily (385) arrow (77) pig, boar (285) is (48) maer, affair (44) generation (33) market (65) model, standard (81) solar (10) show, indicate (215) shì shōu shǒu () shòu () shū () shú () shǔ () shù () shuā shuǎ shuāi shuài shuāng shuí shuǐ shuì () shùn shuō sī () sǐ () sōng 视§ 势§ 试 § 适§ 室 § 释§ 氏§ 饰§ 侍 § 誓 § 收§ 手 § 首§ 守 § 受§ 授§ 售§ 兽§ 寿§ 瘦§ 书 § 输§ 殊 § 叔§ 舒 § 疏§ 殳§ 熟§ 孰§ 属§ 署§ 鼠§ 数§ 术 § 述§ 树§ 束 § 庶 § 刷 § 耍 § 衰 § 帅§ 双§ 谁§ 水 § 税§ 睡 § 顺§ 说§ 斯§ 司 § 思 § 私 § 丝 § 死 § 四 § 似§ 寺 § 饲§ 松§ PINYIN INDEX sǒng regard, look at (439) power, force, influence (408) sòng () test, try (134) appropriate, suitable (422) sōu () room* (157) set free, explain (377) sǒu surname (443) sū decoration, ornament (432) sú serve, wait upon (196) sù () vow, pledge (65) receive, accept (393) hand (15) head, leader (235) guard, defend (61) suān receive (369) suàn instruct, tea (369) suī () sell* (208) wild beast (237) suí longevity (273) thin, lean (392) suì () book (56) transport, convey (314) sūn different, special (141) sǔn uncle (378) suō relax (158) suǒ () sparse, scaered (436) ancient bamboo spear (405) ripe, cooked, familiar (412) tā () who? what? whi? (lit) (412) category (435) government office (292) tǎ mouse, rat (447) tà () number, figure (396) art, skill (90) tāi state, narrate, relate (422) tái () tree* (376) bundle, bun (89) tài () numerous (164) brush, scrub (148) play (a role, tris) (126) tān decline, wane, feeble (173) tán () handsome (335) pair, both, dual (373) who (208) water (118) tǎn tax, duty (250) tàn () sleep (68) in the direction of (298) tāng speak, talk (213) táng () refined (222) company (34) think, consider (187) selfish, personal, private (162) tǎng () silk* (166) die, pass away (140) táo () four (69) seem, appear (208) Buddhist temple (54) tǎo feed (animals) (431) tào pine tree (252) tè 耸 § 送§ 宋 § 讼§ 艘§ 搜§ 叟§ 苏§ 俗§ 诉 § 速§ 素 § 肃§ 宿 § 酸§ 算§ 虽 § 尿 § 随§ 岁 § 碎§ 孙§ 损 § 缩 § 所 § 索 § 锁§ 他§ 她 § 它 § 塔 § 踏 § 沓 § 胎 § 台 § 抬 § 太 § 态 § 泰§ 贪§ 谈§ 弹§ 坛 § 坦 § 探§ 叹§ 汤§ 唐 § 堂§ 糖§ 躺§ 倘§ 逃§ 陶 § 桃§ 讨 § 套§ 特 § – – tè to tower (74) give a present (422) Song dynasty (106) litigation (221) m for ships and vessels (392) sear, collect (391) old gentleman (391) revive, Suzhou (311) vulgar (215) tell, relate (131) fast, speed (422) plain, simple, quiet (170) respectful, solemn (339) stay overnight (197) sour, tart (391) calculate, compute (247) although, even though (182) urine (149) follow, comply with, as soon as (421) years old (140) broken (278) grandson (282) decrease, lose (98) contract, shrink (197) place (152) sear, demand, exact (171) lo up, lo (269) he (206) she (126) it (60) pagoda (111) step on, tread, stamp (194) numerous, repeated (121) fetus, baby (158) platform, stage (158) raise, li (158) too (mu) (76) aitude (187) peace, quiet (273) corrupt, venal (274) talk, at (248) fli, plu, play instrument (249) altar (155) flat (23) look for, explore (222) sigh, exclaim (382) soup (304) Tang dynasty (144) room for a special purpose (230) sugar, sweets, carbs (257) lie down (323) if, in case (231) escape, flee (424) poery (153) pea (417) discuss, study (133) sheath, cover (302) special, unusual (54) téng téng () 腾§ 疼§ tī 梯§ tí () 提 § 题 § tǐ 体 § tì 替 § tiān () 天 § 添§ tián () 田 § 填§ 甜 § tiāo 挑§ tiáo 条§ tiào tiē tiě tīng () tíng () tǐng () tōng tóng () tǒng tòng tōu tóu () tòu tū tú () tǔ () tù tuán tuàn tuī tuǐ tuì tūn tún tuō () tuǒ wā wá wǎ 跳§ 贴 § 铁§ 听 § 厅 § 停§ 庭§ 廷§ 亭 § 蜓§ 艇§ 挺§ 通§ 同 § 童§ 铜§ 统 § 痛§ 偷§ 头 § 投§ 透§ 突§ 图§ 徒§ 途§ 涂§ 土 § 吐 § 兔 § 团§ 彖§ 推 § 腿§ 退§ 吞 § 屯 § 托 § 脱§ 拖 § 妥§ 挖§ 娃 § 瓦§ PINYIN INDEX wài gallop, prance (353) wān () it hurts! (390) ladder (322) wán () carry, take, li (59) topic, subject, title (103) body* (201) wǎn () for, on behalf of (80) heaven (77) increase (218) field (21) wàn fill in, stuff (252) wāng sweetness (56) wáng () select, pi (417) strip, sth long and narrow wǎng () (398) jump (417) paste, sti to (96) wàng () iron (267) hear, listen (36) public rooms, hall (141) wēi () stop, pause (204) hall, front courtyard (429) imperial court (429) wéi () pavilion, kiosk (66) dragonfly (429) small boat (429) straighten up (physically) (429) lead to, go to (420) same, similar (38) ild (239) wěi () copper (268) gather, unite (169) painful (346) steal, pilfer (318) wèi () head (78) throw, fling (408) penetrate, seep through (424) dash forward (249) picture, art, map (389) disciple, pupil, follower (212) road, journey (419) smear, apply (217) earth, soil (10) spit (21) rabbit (104) wēn round, circular (293) wén () determine, make a judgment (318) push (202) wěn () leg (420) retreat, retire (420) wèn swallow, gulp down (100) wō stopile, store up (42) wǒ hold in the palm (58) wò () shed, take off (252) pull, drag, haul (108) appropriate, proper (269) wū () dig, excavate (406) baby (124) tile (403) 外 § 湾§ 弯§ 完 § 玩 § 顽 § 晚 § 碗§ 挽 § 宛 § 万 § 汪 § 王 § 亡 § 往§ 网§ 望§ 忘 § 威 § 微§ 危 § 为§ 维§ 围 § 唯 § 违§ 韦 § 惟§ 委 § 伟 § 尾 § 伪§ 位§ 未 § 卫 § 味 § 谓 § 慰§ 魏§ 胃 § 喂§ 畏§ 尉§ 温 § 文§ 闻 § 纹§ 稳§ 吻§ 问 § 窝§ 我 § 握 § 沃 § 卧 § 屋 § 乌 § 污 § 巫 § – – wū outside, external (140) gulf, bay (314) bent, curved, crooked (313) finish, complete (70) have fun, amuse oneself (70) stupid, stubborn (99) evening (104) bowl (278) draw, pull (104) bent (177) ten thousand (103) bow-wow (114) king (11) perish (64) in the direction of, toward (211) net (361) observe, gaze into distance (347) forget (187) power, might (129) micro, tiny, minute (400) danger, imperil (177) do, accomplish (298) fiber, hold together (208) surround, enclose (35) only, alone (202) disobey, violate (425) leather (35) way of thought, -ism (203) listless, dejected (126) great, imposing (199) tail (149) false, fake, bogus (321) m for persons (polite) (238) have not yet (86) guard, protect (35) taste, flavor (86) say, be called (134) console, comfort (256) Wei dynasty (322) stoma (102) feed (432) fear (432) military official (256) lukewarm, to warm up (115) language, culture (357) hear, smell (51) vein, grain (357) seled, steady, stable (380) kiss (301) ask (51) nest, lair (245) I (82) hold, grasp, shake hands (162) fertile, ri (121) lie down, crou (animals) (47) house, room (161) crow (181) dirty, filthy, foul (121) wizard (74) wú wú () 无§ 吴 § 吾 § wǔ () 五 § 武 § 午 § 舞§ 伍 § wù () 物§ 务§ 误 § 悟 § 雾§ 勿§ 戊 § xī () 西 § 息 § 希§ 吸§ 析 § 悉§ 惜§ 稀§ 牺 § 夕 § 昔§ 嘻§ xí () 习 § 席 § 袭§ 媳 § xǐ () 喜§ 洗 § xì () 系 § 细 § 戏§ xiá () 侠§ 辖§ 峡§ xià () 下 § 夏§ 吓 § xiān () 先 § 鲜§ 仙 § xián () 闲 § 嫌 § 贤§ 咸 § xiǎn () 显§ 险§ xiàn () 现 § 线 § 限§ 县 § 献§ 陷§ 宪 § PINYIN INDEX un-, -less (326) Kingdom of Wu (77) me (26) five (12) martial, military (81) noonish (49) dance (334) -man squad (196) thing, maer (285) affair, business maer (398) miss (due to delay) (134) realize (189) fog, mist (399) not (284) araic lance (83) west (69) breath, news (186) hope (360) absorb, su up (367) analyze (89) know, learn (266) erish, value highly (261) sparse (361) sacrificial animal (69) evening, dusk (139) former times, past (260) giggle (236) practice, study (37) mat (164) raid, make a surprise aa (328) daughter-in-law (186) like, happy (236) wash, bathe (116) academic department (170) thin, slender (167) drama, play, show (380) heroic (237) have jurisdiction over (322) gorge, canyon (257) under (46) summer (390) frighten (47) first (70) fresh, new (252) immortal (197) idle (90) dislike, mind (129) worthy, virtuous (365) salty (84) appear, be obvious (226) dangerous (271) now (71) thread, string, wire (170) set a limit, restrict (371) county (158) offer, donate (244) fall into, get bogged down (446) law, statute, constitution (72) 苋 § xiāng () 香 § 乡 § 箱 § 湘 § xiáng () 降§ 详§ 祥§ xiǎng () 想 § 响 § 享§ xiàng () 向 § 相 § 像§ 象§ 项 § 巷§ xiāo () 消§ 销§ 削§ 萧§ xiǎo () 小§ 晓 § xiào () 笑 § 效§ 校§ 肖§ 孝§ 啸§ xiē () 些 § 歇 § xié () 协§ xiě () xiè () xīn () xìn xīng () xíng () xǐng xìng () xiōng () 胁§ 邪§ 鞋 § 斜§ 携§ 写 § 血 § 谢§ 械§ 泄 § 卸 § 心 § 新§ 辛§ 欣 § 信 § 兴§ 星 § 形§ 型§ 刑§ 醒 § 性 § 幸§ 姓 § 兄 § 胸§ – – xiōng amaranth (72) fragrant (91) township (166) box, trunk, est (108) Hunan province (abbrev) (118) surrender, capitulate (401) detailed (232) propitious (438) think, believe (188) make a sound (64) enjoy (281) to face (64) appearance (88) resemble (303) elephant (302) nape of ne (99) lane, alley (263) disappear, vanish (248) melt metal (266) pare, peel with knife (248) desolate, bleak (340) small (215) dawn, daybreak (106) laugh, smile (104) imitate (394) sool (359) like, similar to (248) filial (293) to whistle (340) some (58) have a rest (138) harmonize, cooperate, assist (313) coerce, force (313) evil, odd (313) shoe (32) oblique, slanting (217) carry, take along (302) write (136) blood (53) thank (323) mainery, meanical (334) disarge gas or liquid (115) unload, take sth off (59) heart (185) new (242) hardworking (242) happy (108) leer (199) prosper (244) star (50) form, shape (333) mold, model, paern (332) punishment, sentence (332) wake up (71) nature, aracter (189) lu, good fortune (231) family name (125) elder brother* (70) est, bosom, thorax (383) xiōng 凶§ xióng () 雄§ 熊§ xiū () 修§ 休 § 羞§ xiù () 秀§ 袖 § xū () 需 § 须§ 虚§ xú 徐§ xǔ 许 § xù () 续 § xuān xuán () xuǎn xuē xué () xuě xún () xùn () yā () yá yǎ yà yān () 序 § 绪§ 叙§ 蓄 § 宣 § 旋§ 玄 § 悬 § 选§ 薛§ 学§ 穴§ 雪 § 寻 § 巡§ 询 § 循§ 旬 § 训§ 迅§ 讯§ 逊§ 压 § 呀§ 押 § 牙§ 雅§ 亚§ 烟§ 咽 § 奄 § yán () 言 § 研§ 严§ 延§ 沿§ 炎§ 岩§ 颜§ 盐 § yǎn () 眼§ 演§ 掩 § PINYIN INDEX yàn () fiendish, ferocious (362) male, mighty (328) bear (animal) (353) embellish, decorate (401) to rest (200) yāng shame, embarrass (330) yáng () to flower, put forth ears of grain (316) sleeve (172) needs, requirements (28) beard, must (258) empty, unoccupied (413) yǎng () slowly, gently (253) allow, permit (133) continue, extend, replenish yàng (171) yāo () order, sequence (162) maer’s beginning (315) talk, at, narrate (383) store, save up (160) yáo () declare, proclaim (61) revolve, circle, spin (445) incredible (159) yǎo suspend, hang (188) yào () oose, select (421) marsh grass (245) study (416) yē cave, den, hole (222) yé snow (28) yě () sear, seek (55) patrol, make the rounds (426) yè () inquire (136) follow, abide by (212) period of days, years (135) lecture, train, tea (315) rapid (418) yī () message, dispat (405) modest, inferior (426) press down (141) ah!, oh! (294) mortgage, pawn, give as secu- yí () rity (29) tooth* (294) elegant (294) inferior (226) smoke (224) yǐ () throat (79) castrate, spay (101) spee (64) to grind (332) strict (227) yì () prolong, postpone (427) alongside, edge, border (409) scoring hot (223) cliff, crag (278) color (260) salt (110) eye, aperture (370) perform, play, act (250) cover, hide (101) 验§ 厌 § 燕 § 雁§ 彦§ 央 § 阳 § 洋§ 杨§ 扬§ 羊§ 养§ 仰§ 氧§ 样§ 腰§ 邀§ 妖 § 幺 § 摇§ 遥§ 尧 § 咬§ 要 § 药 § 耀§ 耶 § 爷§ 也 § 野 § 业§ 夜§ 叶 § 页 § 液§ 一 § 医 § 依§ 衣 § 伊§ 疑§ 移 § 遗§ 仪§ 宜 § 以 § 已 § 椅 § 乙§ 矣 § 意§ 义§ 议§ 易§ 益 § 异§ 艺§ 亦§ 亿§ – – yì examine, e (272) loathe, detest (142) swallow bird (165) wild goose (204) accomplished, talented (260) entreat (81) sun (152) vast (232) poplar (304) raise, wave (304) sheep (231) support, provide for (337) look up (204) oxygen (415) appearance* (232) waist (352) invite, request (420) goblin, demon (125) youngest (159) shake, wave (269) distant, far, remote (427) legendary emperor (85) bite, nip (358) want, wish, request (126) medicine (168) bright, dazzling (247) interrogatory particle (154) grandpa (358) also*, too* (40) open country (158) trade, industry (226) night, evening (376) leaf (20) page, leaf (99) liquid, fluid (385) one (9) medical (77) count on, depend on (208) clothing (172) he, she (339) doubt, suspect (283) ange, alter (141) lose, leave behind (422) rites (355) proper, suitable (63) use, take (75) already (174) air (91) second in a series (415) marks completed action (163) idea, meaning (240) justice, righteousness (355) confer, discuss (356) easy (285) benefit, advantage (118) different, strange, unusual (334) skill, art (403) also, too (300) hundred million (412) yì 译§ 役§ 翼§ 忆§ 抑 § 疫§ 毅§ 弋 § yīn () 因 § 音§ 阴§ yín () 银§ 吟§ 寅§ yǐn () 引 § 隐§ 饮§ yìn 印 § yīng () 应§ 英 § 鹰§ yíng () 营 § 迎§ 赢§ yǐng 影§ yìng () 硬§ 映 § yōng 拥§ yǒng () 永 § 勇§ 涌§ 甬§ yòng 用§ yōu () 优§ 忧§ 幽 § 攸§ 攸§ yóu () 由 § 游§ 油 § 尤§ 犹§ 邮 § yǒu () 有§ 友§ 酉 § yòu () 又§ 右§ 幼§ 诱§ yú () 于 § 余§ 鱼 § 渔 § 愚§ 愉§ 俞§ yǔ () 与 § PINYIN INDEX translate, interpret (379) military service, labor (413) wing, flank (264) recall, remember (403) restrain, restrict (44) yù () epidemic, plague (415) perseverance (406) arrow type (81) because (79) sound (239) feminine principle in nature (351) silver (371) ant, recite (276) –am (250) lead, guide (178) conceal, hide, latent (380) swallow liquid or insults (432) seal, stamp (43) yuán () ought (271) hero (81) eagle (204) baalion (67) to welcome (424) gain, win (407) shadow, reflection (259) hard, stiff (363) reflect, shine (81) to embrace, hold (343) yuǎn forever, always (120) yuàn () brave, valiant (346) gush, well up (346) corridor, path (345) yuē () to use (343) excellent, superior (326) yuè () worry, anxiety (326) remote, secluded (163) distant, far (395) thus, that whi (401) let sb sth (19) swim, float (446) yún () oil (114) blame, fault (326) yǔn just as, just like (328) yùn to post, mail (154) zá have (342) zāi friend, associate (356) zǎi new wine (71) zài () hand, also (355) right (-hand) (325) zán young (322) zàn () guide, lead, induce (316) in; at; to (15) zāng () surplus, remainder (217) fish (105) zāo () fisherman (120) stupid, foolish (434) zǎo happy, joyful (301) zào consent (301) zé () give** (136) 语 § 予 § 雨 § 宇 § 羽 § 育§ 预 § 域 § 遇§ 玉 § 欲§ 愈§ 御§ 狱 § 誉§ 郁§ 豫§ 裕§ 聿 § 原 § 员 § 元 § 源 § 园 § 圆 § 援§ 缘§ 袁 § 远§ 院 § 愿 § 怨 § 约 § 曰 § 月§ 越 § 阅§ 跃 § 岳 § 悦§ 云 § 匀 § 允 § 运§ 杂§ 灾§ 载§ 在§ 再 § 咱 § 赞 § 暂§ 脏§ 臧 § 遭§ 糟§ 早 § 造§ 则 § 责 § – – zé language (131) give* (157) rain (28) building, house (63) feather, wing (37) rear, raise, educate (435) in advance (162) region, area (83) meet, encounter (435) jade (55) wish, desire, want (253) the more—the more (318) control, manage (212) prison, jail (183) reputation, fame (257) lush (345) pleased, content (303) abundant (247) pen, writing instrument (18) original, unprocessed (142) employee (97) dollar (69) source of river, fountainhead (142) garden (69) round (98) help, aid, assist (381) reason*, cause* (318) Yuan Shikai (174) far, distant (421) courtyard (153) sincere, honest (188) blame, reproa, reprove (189) ask, invite (168) speak (22) moon, month (341) exceed (104) read, review (213) leap, jump (193) high mountain peak (36) pleased (213) cloud (155) evenly divided (135) permit, allow (159) move, transport (420) mixed, composite (404) disaster, calamity (254) write down, year (314) located at (291) again (37) you and me (53) support, assist (96) temporarily (288) filthy (341) luy, good (192) encounter, by ance (424) spoiled (228) morning (24) build, fabricate (421) standard, norm (95) responsibility (97) zé zěn zēng zhā zhà () zhái zhài zhān zhǎn () zhàn () zhāng () zhǎng () zhàng () zhāo () zhǎo zhào () zhe 泽§ 择§ 怎§ 增§ 扎 § 炸§ 乍§ 宅 § 债§ 占 § 展 § 斩§ 战 § 站§ 张§ 章§ 掌§ 涨§ 障§ 丈§ 帐§ 仗§ 招§ 昭§ 找 § 照§ 赵§ 召§ 罩 § 兆§ 着§ zhé zhě zhè zhēn () 哲 § 者§ 这§ 真§ 针§ 珍§ 侦§ zhěn 诊§ zhèn () 阵§ 镇§ 震§ 振§ 朕§ zhēng () 争 § 征§ 睁 § 怔 § zhěng 整§ zhèng () 正 § 政§ 证 § 郑§ 症 § 挣 § zhī () 之§ 知 § 支§ PINYIN INDEX marsh (379) oose*, select* (378) how, why (289) zhí () increase, add (236) pierce, pri (40) explode, burst (289) suddenly (289) residence, house (64) debt (209) zhǐ () practice divination (46) expand, develop (172) behead (287) war (83) stop, station (242) stret, expand (307) zhì () apter, section (241) palm of the hand (230) rise (water, prices) (307) obstruct, hinder (253) male elder relative (362) curtain, canopy (322) bale (363) beon, enlist (309) clear, obvious (309) zhōng () seek (82) shine, illuminate (309) kingdom of Zhao (360) call, convene (309) zhǒng () bamboo fish trap (46) omen (416) zhòng () indicates continuing progress (330) wise, sagacious (36) zhōu () -er (292) this, these (418) real (214) needle, pin, injection (267) zhǒu zhòu () precious thing (258) to spy (205) diagnose (259) zhū () bale array (313) trading center, garrison post (267) shake, quake (381) rouse, shake, vibrate (381) zhú () royal ‘we’ (353) zhǔ struggle (102) zhù () go on a journey (210) open (eyes) (102) panic-strien (189) neat, tidy (396) correct (48) government, political (392) evidence, proof (132) serious, earnest (225) zhuā disease (146) struggle, strive (103) zhuǎ relationship marker (427) zhuān know (95) zhuǎn prop up, support (372) zhuāng () 织§ 枝§ 直 § 值§ 职§ 执§ 植 § 殖 § 只§ 指 § 止 § 纸§ 旨 § 址 § 制 § 至 § 治 § 质 § 致§ 志 § 置 § 智 § 秩 § 中 § 终§ 钟§ 忠 § 种 § 肿§ 重 § 众 § 仲 § 周§ 洲§ 州§ 舟 § 帚 § 宙 § 皱§ 诸§ 朱 § 珠 § 猪§ 逐§ 竹 § 主 § 住 § 注 § 助§ 著§ 筑§ 驻 § 祝§ 柱 § 抓§ 爪§ 专§ 转§ 装§ – – zhuāng weave (220) bran of tree (372) straight, vertical (12) to be worth (205) duty, job (219) grasp (404) plant, grow (88) propagate (139) only (219) finger (41) stop! (48) paper (445) intention, meaning (41) foundation, site (59) make, manufacture (49) to, until (156) manage, administer (158) quality (96) send, deliver (400) aspiration (185) to place, put (34) wit (95) order*, sequence* (109) middle (19) end, finish (390) bell, clo, time (267) loyal (186) m for kinds (93) to swell (353) heavy (57) multitude (73) nd in seniority (195) week (342) continent (299) state, province (299) boat, ship (128) broom* (39) all time, past, present, and future (63) wrinkle (364) all, various (315) vermilion (86) pearl (86) hog, pig (315) pursue, ase (423) bamboo (50) master (55) to live (199) pour (116) help, assist, aid (312) write, compose (292) build, construct (412) halt, stay (180) express good wishes (438) pillar, column (90) grab, seize, arrest (433) claw (432) concentrated, focused (441) turn, shi, ange (441) adorn, dress up (442) zuò 庄 § zhuàng () 状§ zhuī () zhǔn zhuō () zhuó zī () zǐ () zì () zōng () zǒng 壮§ 撞§ 追§ 隹 § 准 § 桌 § 捉 § 卓 § 资 § 兹 § 姿 § 滋 § 子§ 仔§ 紫 § 自 § 字§ 宗§ 综§ 踪§ 总§ PINYIN INDEX zòng 纵 § village (144) form, shape, state of things zǒu 走 § (442) zòu 奏§ strong, robust (442) zū 租 § run into, collide (239) zú () 足 § ase, pursue (440) 族§ short-tailed bird (202) 卒 § standard, criterion (203) zǔ () 组 § table (90) 祖§ to cat, capture (94) 阻 § stand firm (46) zuān 钻§ money, expenses (124) zuǐ 嘴§ now, at present (161) zuì () 最§ looks, appearance (128) 罪 § sprout, spurt (161) 醉 § son, ild (280) zūn () 尊§ animal young (281) 遵§ purple (171) zúo 昨§ self (52) zuǒ () 左§ aracter, word (283) 佐§ clan, sect, faction (251) zuò () 作§ summing up, aggregate (251) 做§ footprint, trace, tras (251) 坐 § always, anyway (214) 座 § – – zǒng vertical (168) to walk (94) memorialize the emperor (272) rent (92) foot (93) clan, race, tribe, group (445) foot soldier (100) section, group (167) ancestor (437) hinder, blo (152) drill, bore (268) mouth, snout, bill (351) most, -est (356) crime, guilt (34) drunk (100) honor, venerate (244) abide by, obey (426) yesterday (289) le (324) assist (325) to do, make (289) do, make (393) sit (75) seat (144) – – www.EZChinesey.com Quick Order Form – – i Order Form Telephone orders: Call --– and please have your credit card ready Email orders: info@EZChinesey.com Postal orders: EZChinesey.com, Dr Alan Hoenig, P.O Box , Huntington, NY , USA Telephone: -– Please send copies of the following books I understand that I may return any of them (in new, salable condition) within days for any reason, no questions asked Please send more FREE information on: (circle) Other Books Speaking/Seminars Mailing Lists Consulting Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone: Email Address: Sales Tax: please .% for anything shipped to New York addresses Postage & Handling: Within the US, add $. for first book, and $. for ea additional copy International: please inquire – – www.EZChinesey.com Quick Order Form – – i Order Form Telephone orders: Call --– and please have your credit card ready Email orders: info@EZChinesey.com Postal orders: EZChinesey.com, Dr Alan Hoenig, P.O Box , Huntington, NY , USA Telephone: -– Please send copies of the following books I understand that I may return any of them (in new, salable condition) within days for any reason, no questions asked Please send more FREE information on: (circle) Other Books Speaking/Seminars Mailing Lists Consulting Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone: Email Address: Sales Tax: please .% for anything shipped to New York addresses Postage & Handling: Within the US, add $. for first book, and $. for ea additional copy International: please inquire – – Reference / Chinese Language Who says Chinese is hard? ☛ ☛ ☛ ☛ e pioneering memory tenique in this book removes the major obstacle to learning Chinese—how to remember the meanings of more than 2000 of the most common Chinese aracters With this book you will see how easy it is to: learn word definitions at a breakne pace; build up new aracters using aracters you’ve already learned; develop memory tris to associate meanings with these aracters; and fix meanings and aracters forever in your mind Visit www.EZChinesey.com for a free download of valuable material—su as flashcards, end-of-unit reviews, graded reading practices, and mu, mu more (including an excerpt of this book) is unique manual will show you a sure and lightning-fast way to master the most allenging aspect of learning Chinese If you are a student of Chinese language, you need this book What are you waiting for? Dr Alan Hoenig speaks five languages, of whi Chinese is the most allenging and interesting Currently a Professor of Mathematics within the City University of New York, he received his doctoral and undergraduate degrees from Harvard and Yale, and is the author of more than a dozen books ISBN 978-0-9822324-0-8 52495 > EZChinesey.com 780982 232408 U.S $24.95 Can $27.95 [...]... aracters, and from time to time we need to introduce into our master list some components whi comprise various arrangements of strokes that aren’t themselves independent Chinese aracters CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS EZChinesey™ at work: an example Now let’s see how this helps us learn the meanings of the eight simplest aracters e three simplest are 一, 二, and 三, whi mean ‘one’,... pseudo-equivalent Of course, how do you learn the pronunciation of ea aracter? Other titles in the ‘EZChinesey™’ series address this important issue, but for the time being, refer to the pinyin pronunciation in the right margin –5– CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS Advantages and disadvantages of EZChinesey™ One finding of this book is that it is possible to deconstruct virtually every aracter... component named ‘man r’, presented first in §, and the aracter ‘in’ from § appears on the right (‘§’ is the ‘panel’ symbol; ‘§§’ means ‘panels’.) Chinese scribes build up one aracter that means ‘to pay’ (see §) from these components –3– CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS e components for ‘eagle’ (§) provide another illustration, and wild goose (altered) bird shows... alphabet, but it’s vastly less than the figure of ‘thousands’ that unthinking instructors use to frighten would-be students of Chinese Nevertheless, there is one striking disadvantage to this method e order in whi we learn aracters the EZChinesey™ way mates that of no known Chinese language curriculum How could it? Language courses go from common vocabulary to allenging words (more or less) is book... ea of the two units I am learning and reviewing In conclusion Learning Chinese is rewarding and allenging, but the problem of grappling with Chinese aracters threatens the success of the whole endeavor With this book, you will learn a method that takes the sweat out of learning them, a method that, well, puts the ‘ease’ into Chinese Abbreviations Used bound form component literary ... su But sometimes, too, we’ll just regard it as a sti-like tool CMP sān CHINESE CHARACTERS: REMEMBER 2178 CHARACTER MEANINGS 6 7 UNIT 1, §§6–10 十 十 shí 工 工 gōng ten one scepter 1 e aracter 十 looks like the leer ‘t’ whi stands for ‘ten’ 2 e upright sti in this aracter resembles a European ‘one’ e horizontal bar of the Chinese ‘one’ closely mimics the horizontal hand motion people use to show... portion of word Sometimes, too, the aracter represents a special Chinese grammatical construct, for whi no English equivalent occurs Even so, this seems to me the best method to oose It was my intention at all times to oose the most prominent meaning for ea aracter, although sometimes that’s a maer more of personal preference than actual Chinese usage I found it a particular allenge to provide a... discussed 一 二 三 十 士 工 土 干 Can you remember their meanings? I bet you did beer than you expected EZChinesey™: results In this way, we build up the meanings for the two thousand most frequent aracters With knowledge of these meanings, you will recognize—on average—% of all the aracters in any piece of modern Chinese writing Not bad (In other volumes of this series, we’ll consider more aracters and methods... Read Me First! Or in other words, should I buy this book? EZChinesey™: the method Begin by staring at some Chinese text No maer how intense your concentration, it’s simply not possible to extract any meaning from the aracters Aer a while, though, you may become sensitive to differences... Teaing and Learning Chinese (edited by Pu Zhang et al.), pp -, (Beijing: Tsinghua University Press) for further details.] Moreover, there were only , distinct aracters in this large sample—a far cry from the “tens of thousands” that the uninformed claim need be learned is solar has made his list of aracter frequencies available for downloading (from lingua.mtsu.edu /chinese- computing),