Learn and remember the most common 250 Chinese characters in the most efficient way
Start with the statistically most common characters, see out of which radicals each character consists and learn them by using pictures and stories.
The book contains the most frequent 250 characters, meaning after being through the book, you will be able to understand approx. 60% of any written Chinese text.
The frequency of the characters was statistically determined by analyzing a vast number of Chinese texts and arranging them by frequency. This makes sure that you start learning relevant words only that you can put directly to use.
Building on top of that list, each character was then broken down into its individual components (down to the radicals) to help you understand what each character is made of.
After having "split" the characters, mnemonics will make the characters stick with you forever.
Therefore, whenever possible the characters were built into a picture in such a way, that the picture conveys the characters meaning. Apart from pictures, stories were used to bring together the characters in a funny or remarkable way.
After having exercised with the book, you'll be equipped with all the tools you need to attack the next characters all by yourself and enable you to set your own learning pace.
Summing up:
1. Frequency ensures that you make progress in the most efficient way. When you learn a new word, you want to make sure that it is of use for you right from the start. Starting with the most frequent word in any language is therefore certainly the best way.
2. Splitting helps to understand the individual components of a character. It also trains your brain to decipher any Chinese character and see the meaning behind them.
3. Mnemonics make the characters stick with you forever. Learning by means of visualization is undoubtedly the best way to learn a new word.
TAGS Learn Chinese, Chinese characters, Chinese for beginners, Simplified Chinese characters
