Reading and Writing Chinese: Third Edition, HSK All Levels (2,349 Chinese Characters and 5,000+ Compounds)

A must have book for beginning Mandarin. Includes this list: 1. Pinyin - pronunciation of Chinese words. 2. Meaning of vocabulary words. 3. Shows the proper method of writing each Chinese characters. 4. Gives other words that has that character. 5. Bonus. Includes: A. Alphabetical index of all Chinese words used. B. Chart of traditional radicals. These are root words. Most Chinese words (root or other derivative words) are combination of other words put together to make new single word. Note: Mandarin language is full of synonyms, often 3, 4 or 5 synonyms for many words. Tones and context of subject matter are a way to distinguish them. For beginners this is just nightmare. Chinese don't write in pinyin (like road signs, books, product description, etc.) so you will have to learn and memorize words/characters. With patience and practice you will acquire this ability. It does gets easier over time. As each piece of information you learn/memorized helps and clarify the next one.

I am using this book to review written Chinese after many years away from reading, writing, or speaking it. I focus on traditional characters. The listing of each simplified character is accompanied by its traditional version. Unlike other sources, and many older style flash cards, the traditional characters in this publication are clear and large enough to read. And, as my actual flash cards only go to about 1800 characters, this is a good way to add another 550 SINGLE characters. The explanation/meanings given for each of the individual characters is complete and clear. The specific order in which characters are presented is very helpful to differentiating and remembering those characters with similar components, but different pronunciations, tones, and meanings. I definitely recommend this particular publication for the study of Chinese characters.

i am in LOVE with this book! ive been including chinese words/letters phrases in my art for a year or so now, i have a few calligraphy books and all the right brushes, etc. i like to add the words from a separate piece of rice paper and in a separate layer in my art. i usually will title my piece by the words ive chosen in chinese, and i was running out of words! so THIS book has enough in it to keep me happily naming my work for years and years! its also spectacular for numbers of strokes per character and a nice explanation of each, though i am not using this to learn to read nor write chinese, i suppose over time, i will do just that ~ to a degree. win win

Solid edition and I think it’s a good resource if you prefer physical copies but I tended to review Pleco much more frequently. Nothing wrong with it just personal preference that I think most other students would align with

I have an older version of this book that has been my most valuable Chinese reference tool for many years. This updated version is superior in many ways! First, the Characters are larger with a style that is easier to read. Besides referencing similar looking characters that could easily be confused, the order has been aranged so that characters with similar elements are often placed together. This revision includes more combination character words and is geared toward helping those preparing to take the HSK proficiency test. Both my old versions and this newer one share the traditional character when it is different. (The Traditional characters book edition shares the Simplified when different.) Both puts the most useful and frequently used words ahead of lesser used words. Both have the ability to look up words by sound or by stroke count. I am very glad I got this updated copy! I would not have known about this updated version, had I not insisted that a young girl with great language ambition, learning from her grandmother, needed this reference work. Initially I got it for her, then realized I wanted one too!

Exceptional layout, explains things clearly. Sets expectations and explains HSK testing. Only sauce is I wish compounds were in bigger print because I wear glasses but otherwise very much recommend this book. Great index, images etc.

I should acknowledge up front that I study 15 languages and speak 5 fluently, so that is my experience in linguistics. Looking at the review, I saw one who claimed the book had not been updated in the 2013 revision. This person unfortunately did not receive the updated version, which in fact is revised and includes a few hundred new characters and some other updates. This book is an excellent resource to pair with Chinese lessons, study, etc. It contains HSK words and is a valuable resource including logograms, definitions, explanations, and stroke order (among other things). I like to pair it with TOFU Learn and Pleco in order to get pronunciation and feeling for the characters. Definitely would recommend to any friend who is interested in learning Mandarin!

I have a minor in Mandarin. I gained a deeper understanding of Chinese in the first week doing self-study with this book, than throughout my courses in college. My fiance, who is from China, has also been super impressed with my newfound understanding of the language. This book first explains the radicals of a character and their origins and meanings, and then applies it to the characters. I've made so many mental connections that have helped me to memorize new characters and phrases. I wish the book would provide more example sentences/ phrases. Also, it would be lovely if there was accompanying online audio so I could simultaneously improve my listening comprehension.

Thanks.

J'adore.

Perfect explanation of characters, easy way to remember, best for hsk exam .. just go for it

Satisfied. Thanks 😃.

Knowing the book already, because I had the traditional writing one since 10 years , I wanted the simplified one. A very usefull one.