Learning Chinese characters can be a daunting task, especially for non-Chinese learners. However, one of the most effective ways to learn Chinese characters is by breaking them down into smaller components. This is where STRAW Chinese comes in.
STRAW Chinese is an innovative online learning platform that focuses on teaching Chinese characters through their components. The platform breaks down Chinese characters into smaller components, or “radicals (部件),” which are the building blocks of the language. By learning these radicals, learners can easily recognize and understand more complex Chinese characters.
The Chinese writing system is based on characters. Each concept is formed by words which are formed by one or two or more characters. Unlike the English alphabet, which has 26 letters, in order to read a Chinese newsletter, you need to master more than 2000 Chinese characters. However, many of these characters are made up of smaller components, which are repeated in other characters. Therefore, mastering the component should be the first step of learning Chinese characters.
For example, the character for “tree” (木) is made up of one radical, which means “wood” or “tree.” This radical is also used in other characters, such as “forest” (林) and “timber” (材). Another example is the character for “river” (江), which is made up of two radicals, one is the semantic radical “water” or “drip” (氵) and the other phonological radical “work” (工). By learning this one radical, learners can easily recognize and understand these other characters.
By breaking down Chinese characters into their smaller components, learners can easily recognize and understand more complex characters. This method of learning Chinese is not only effective but also fun and engaging. STRAW Chinese provides learners with interactive lessons, quizzes, and games that make learning Chinese a fun and enjoyable experience.
In conclusion, learning Chinese characters can be a challenging task, but by breaking them down into smaller components, learners can easily recognize and understand more complex characters. STRAW Chinese is an innovative online learning platform that focuses on teaching Chinese characters through their components, making learning Chinese fun and engaging for non-Chinese learners. Start by learning the simple components as the first step of learning Chinese, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering this beautiful language.