The Kangxi Dictionary lists over 115 characters under the “ice” radical. Many of them relate directly to coldness, frost, and freezing, such as:

• 冫+ 水  (shuǐ) = 冰 (bīng)  – ice
• 冫+ phonetic component 令 (lìng) = 冷 (lěng) – cold
• 冫+ phonetic component 东 (dōng) = 冻 (dòng) – to freeze

Here is a visual chart showing how the ice radical is used in Chinese characters.

However, some Chinese characters with this radical are part of commonly used words that don’t directly relate to ice or cold. Here are a few examples:

• 情况 (qíng kuàng) – situation, circumstances

况 (kuàng) means “condition,” but it originally meant “cold water.” In this case, 兄 (xiōng) is the phonetic component.

• 减价 (jiǎn jià) – to reduce price, to discount

减 (jiǎn) comes from the ice radical 冫 and the phonetic 咸 (xián). The character means “to decrease,” akin to pouring out like a waterfall.

• 决定 (jué dìng) – to decide, to resolve

决 (jué) combines the ice radical 冫 with the phonetic 夬 (guài), which also means “to decide.”

As you can see, the ice radical can be directly related to ice and its characteristics, but it can also be used more abstractly. It’s fascinating how the Chinese language uses radicals to build on simple ideas and express complex concepts. 

Explore additional resources and methods to deepen your understanding of Chinese characters and their components. Check out this comprehensive list of Chinese characters and learn about effective strategies for writing Chinese characters.

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The radical resembles a bow, which is what it means. There are over 160 characters listed under this radical in the Kangxi Dictionary. Some characters are directly related to bows, such as 弦 (xián) for bowstring and 弢 (tāo) for bow case. Others are related to the process of shooting, like 引 (yǐn), which means to stretch, as when drawing a bow.

The commonly used character 张 (zhāng) has the bow radical on its left side and a phonetic component, 长 (cháng), which means long. It’s interesting to contrast the character 弜 (jiàng), which contains two bows and means “stiff” or “strong,” with 弱 (ruò), which means “weak.” The pictograph 弱 (ruò) looks like a pair of baby bird wings, symbolizing fragility.

Note: Don’t confuse these three characters containing 弓, which all have the same pronunciation:

• 弟 (dì) was originally a string wrapped around a bobbin, meaning “sequence” or “second.” Nowadays, it mainly appears in 弟弟 (dìdi), meaning younger brother.
• 第 (dì) also means “sequence” but has the bamboo radical 竹 at the top, reminiscent of old Chinese bamboo slat books.
• When the “walk” radical is added to 弟 (dì), it becomes 递 (dì), meaning “to hand over” or “to deliver.”

We’ve reviewed commonly used Chinese characters with the bow radical, 弓. What is your favorite radical? Share your learning experience with us in the comments below!

For more information on Chinese characters and radicals, explore these helpful resources:

• List of Chinese Characters – by Radicals
• A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Characters

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If you’ve been following my series, you’re already familiar with some basic characters: 大, 井, 不, 米, 白. Keep these in mind and see what happens when the left “walk” radical (辶) is added. In some cases, the meaning or pronunciation is related to the original character:

1. 达 (dá)

Big 大 (dà) + 辶 = 达 (dá)

Suggests “to go to something big,” meaning “to reach”

e.g.

到达 (dào dá) – arrive, reach

2. 进 (jìn)

A well 井 (jǐng) + 辶 = 进 (jìn)

Suggests “to go into something secluded,” meaning “to enter”

e.g. 

请进 (qǐng jìn) – please come in

3. 迷 (mí)

Rice 米 (mǐ) + 辶 = 迷 (mí)

Same sound! 迷 means “to bewilder,” “lost,” or “confused”

e.g. 

迷路 (mí lù) – get lost, lose one`s way

However, the link between the words and phonetics is not always evident:

4. 还 (hái) and 迫 (pò)

Not, 不 (bù) + 辶 = 还, meaning “still” or “yet”

White,白 (bái) + 辶 = 迫, meaning “to approach”

Here are some more words with the left walk radical:

5. 运 (yùn) and 送 (sòng)

运 (yùn) – to transport things from one place to another

送 (sòng) – to send

e.g. 

运送  (yùn sòng)- transport, convey

6. 迎 (yíng)

迎 (yíng) – to meet, to welcome

e.g. 

迎接 (yíng jiē) – reception, meet, welcome

These are some common characters with the 辶 radical in Chinese. I hope this makes it easier to remember them! Did I miss any important points? Or do you know more about characters with the 辶 radical? Tell us in the comments!

For more information on Chinese characters and radicals, explore these helpful resources:

• List of Chinese Characters – by Radicals
• A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Characters

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As you embark on your journey to learn the Chinese language, you’ll quickly realize that asking questions is a fundamental skill that opens the doors to effective communication. While simple greetings like 你好 (nǐ hǎo) and 谢谢 (xièxiè) may be among the first words you learn, the ability to ask questions is equally crucial in any language.

In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into the world of Chinese question words, exploring two main question types: Yes-No Questions and Wh- Questions. Understanding these question types will form the foundation for your proficiency. Along the way, we’ll unravel the purpose and usage of key question particles, such as 吗 (ma), 呢 (ne), and 吧 (ba) and delve into the most commonly used question words in Chinese.

Whether you’re a beginner eager to grasp the basics or an intermediate learner looking to fine-tune your question-asking abilities, this article aims to provide you with a clear and concise roadmap to navigate the unique nuances of Chinese question words.

• Yes – No Questions and Wh- Questions
  • Yes – No Questions
  • Wh- Questions
• Common Question Words in Chinese
  • Chinese Question particles: 吗, 呢, 吧
  • Special Interrogative Question Words in Chinese
    • 什么  – what
    • 谁 – who/whom
    • 哪儿/哪里 & 什么地方 – where/what place
    • 哪 – which
    • 怎么– how
    • 怎么样 – how about/what about
    • 为什么– why
    • 什么时候 & 几点 –  when/what time
    • 几岁 & 多大 –  how old
    • 几 – how many/how much
    • 多少 – how many/how much
    • 多 – numbers and sizes

Yes – No Questions and Wh- Questions

In Chinese, there are two types of questions: Yes – No Questions and Wh- Questions. Understanding these question types will help us know where to place the question words in a sentence.

Yes – No Questions

A Yes – No Question, also known as a General Interrogative Sentence, can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” To form this type of question, we add a question mark “?” and the particle 吗(ma) at the end of a declarative sentence.

Declarative Sentence + 吗？

Wh- Questions

A Wh- Question, or Special Interrogative Sentence, is used to ask about specific information like a person, time, reason, method, place, quantity, and more. These questions cannot be answered with just “yes” or “no.”

Common Question Words in Chinese

Now that we’ve learned some basics about question types and structures in Chinese, we’ll explore the essential role of question words. Here are some frequently used question words:

Chinese Question particles: 吗, 呢, 吧

1. 吗

By adding 吗 (ma) at the end of a sentence, the statement becomes a Yes – No Question. Refer to the “Yes – No Question” section.

Declarative Sentence + 吗？

2. 呢

呢 (ne) is placed after a noun or pronoun to ask bounce-back questions in Chinese, similar to “how about” or “what about” in English. It can also inquire about the location of someone or something when there is no related statement before.

noun/pronoun + 呢？

3. 吧

吧 (ba) is used at the end of a sentence to indicate the speaker’s desire to confirm something or ask for agreement or permission.

Sentence + 吧？

Special Interrogative Question Words in Chinese

1. 什么 – what

什么 (shénme), or “what,” is one of the most commonly used question words in Chinese.

2. 谁 – who/whom

谁 (shuí/shéi) can function as the subject or object in a sentence, similar to “who” and “whom” in English.

3. 哪儿/哪里 & 什么地方 – where/what place

哪儿 (nǎr) or 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is used to ask about the location where something happened. Additionally, we can use the phrase 什么地方 (shénme dìfɑnɡ), which means “what place” literally.

4. 哪 – which

哪(nǎ) can be combined with another measure word or noun to ask about a specific one, like 哪国(nǎ guó, which country)，哪家(nǎ jiā, which family), 哪些人(nǎ xiē rén, which group of people), 哪本书(nǎ běn shū, which book), and so on.

哪(nǎ) + measure word / noun

5. 怎么– how

怎么 (zěnme) is used to ask about a method or an explanation.

Note: There is a fixed phrase, 怎么办 (zěnme bàn), which functions more like a question tag, used to ask what to do in a certain situation.

For example:

我忘带钥匙了，怎么办? (Wǒ wànɡ dài yàoshi le, zěnme bàn?)
I forgot my key, what should I do?

快考试了，但是我还没准备好，怎么办？(Kuài kǎoshì le, dànshì wǒ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo, zěnme bàn?)
What on earth shall I do? I haven’t prepared well but the test is coming up.

6. 怎么样 – how about/what about

怎么样(zěnmeyàng), which can be shortened to 怎样(zěnyàng), is used to inquire about a condition, situation, or status.

7. 为什么– why

为什么(wèishénme) is used to ask about the reason for something.

Note: The position of 为什么(wèishénme) in a question is flexible, and it can be placed before or after the subject, or even at the end of a sentence as a question tag.

8. 什么时候 & 几点 – when/what time

When asking about time, we can use 什么时候(shénme shíhou)  or 几点(jǐ diǎn). 几点(jǐ diǎn) is typically used for specific time points, while 什么时候(shénme shíhou) is more versatile and can refer to any kind of time.

9. 几岁 & 多大 – how old

几岁 (jǐ suì) and 多大 (duōdà) are both used to ask about a person’s age. Generally, 几岁 (jǐ suì) is used for kids under 10 years old, while 多大 (duōdà) is used for individuals over 10 years old or adults of the same age or status.

10. 几 – how many/how much

几 (jǐ), when combined with a measure word or a noun, is used to ask about quantities, such as 几斤(jǐ jīn, how many jin), 几年(jǐ niǎn, how many years), 几个人(jǐge rén, how many people), etc.

几+measure word/noun

Note: Generally, 几 (jǐ) is used for numbers less than 10. For other situations, we can use 多少 (duōshǎo).

11. 多少 – how many/how much

As mentioned earlier, 多少 (duōshǎo) can be used to inquire about how many or how much. It can stand alone or, similar to 几 (jǐ), it can be used with a measure word or a noun like.

多少 + Measure word/Noun

Note: 多少钱(duōshǎo qián) is a common way to ask how much something costs in Chinese.

12. 多 – numbers and sizes

When combined with an adjective, 多 (duō) indicates the quantity or extent of something, such as 多大 (duō dà, how old/how big), 多高 (duō ɡāo, how tall), 多远 (duō yuǎn, how far), 多久 (duō jiǔ, for how long), 多长 (duō chánɡ, how long), etc.

多 + Adjective

Notes：

• 多 (duō) alone doesn’t express a specific number; it requires an adjective to convey a numerical meaning.
• When asking about a duration of time, besides 多久(duō jiǔ), 多长时间(duō chánɡ shíjiān) is also frequently used.

e.g.

从这里去西安要多长时间？(Cónɡ zhèli qù Xī’ān yào duō chánɡ shíjiān?)
How long it will take to get from here to Xi An?

做这个项目你们花了多长时间？(Zuò zhèɡe xiànɡmù nǐmen huāle duō chánɡ shíjiān?)
How long did you take for this program?

Congratulations! You’ve now completed your comprehensive guide to mastering Chinese question words. From understanding the two main question types, Yes-No Questions and Wh-Questions, to exploring the nuances of essential question particles like 吗 (ma), 呢 (ne), and 吧 (ba), you’ve laid a strong foundation for effective communication in Chinese. By familiarizing yourself with the most commonly used question words in Chinese, such as 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), 哪儿 (nǎr), 怎么 (zěnme), and many others, you’ve gained valuable insights into how to seek specific information and engage in meaningful conversations.

Embrace the art of asking questions in Chinese, and you’ll find yourself building bridges with native speakers, forming deeper connections, and gaining a profound appreciation for the language. We hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and confidence to start asking “你会说中文吗？“

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Question Words and Sentence Structures appeared first on .

For the majority of Chinese learners, the first greeting they encounter is “你好” (Hello). This initial step reveals that Chinese learners become acquainted with Chinese pronouns sooner than they might anticipate. The Chinese language, renowned for its rich history and intricate structure, presents a wide variety of pronouns. Using the appropriate pronouns in Chinese is not only crucial for effective communication, but also helps you navigate some potential conversational pitfalls, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect.

In this overview, we’ll break down the complexities of Chinese pronouns into manageable sections, providing insights and examples to ensure that you not only grasp their grammatical usage but also appreciate the cultural nuances embedded within these words. From personal pronouns that reveal one’s identity to interrogative pronouns that open the doors to questions, we’ll cover it all.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at all the Chinese pronouns at your disposal.

• Personal Pronouns in Chinese
• Plural Personal Pronouns in Chinese
• Reflexive Pronouns in Chinese
• Possessive Pronouns in Chinese
• Demonstrative Pronouns in Chinese
• Interrogative Pronouns in Chinese
• Indefinite Pronouns in Chinese

Personal Pronouns in Chinese

Personal Pronouns are used to replace names to avoid repetition and show a person’s role in a conversation or their relationships.

Personal Pronouns: Nominative and objective cases in Chinese

Unlike many other languages, Chinese personal pronouns keep the exact same form for the nominative and objective cases.

For example:

我爱你。(Wǒ ài nǐ) I love you.

你爱我 (Nǐ ài wǒ) You love me.

爸爸昨天忘记送我去学校了。(Bàba zuótiān wàngjì sòng wǒ qù xuéxiào le.)
My father forgot to take me to school yesterday.

你不喜欢她，但是她很喜欢你。(Nǐ bù xǐhuān tā, dànshì tā hěn xǐhuān nǐ.)
You don’t like her, but she likes you very much.

When to use 您 instead of 你 in Chinese

你(nǐ) and 您(nín) both mean “you” in Chinese. However, they differ in formality and usage. 你(nǐ) is informal and used in daily conversations with friends, family, and peers. 您(nín) is formal and polite, suitable for addressing elders, superiors, teachers, and others you want to show respect to.

For example:

小明，你现在在哪里工作？(Xiǎo Míng, nǐ xiànzài zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò?)
Xiao Ming, where are you working now?

李老师，可以问您一个问题吗？(Lǐ lǎoshī, kěyǐ wèn nín yī gè wèntí ma?)
Mr. Li, may I ask you a question?

Personal Pronouns: Third-person pronouns in Chinese

他(tā), 她(tā), and 它(tā) are all third-person pronouns in Chinese, referring to different things. 他(tā) refers to men, 她(tā) refers to women, and 它(tā) refers to things or animals.

For example:

它是我妹妹的小狗。(Tā shì wǒ mèimei de xiǎo gǒu.)
It‘smy younger sister’s puppy.

她不是我的老板，他才是。(Tā búshì wǒ de lǎobǎn, tā cái shì.)
He is my boss, not her.

他是哪国人？(Tā shì nǎ guó rén?)
Which country is he from?

Plural Personal Pronouns in Chinese

Creating plural pronouns in Chinese is quite simple. Just add 们 (men) to the pronoun.

Pronoun + 们 (men)

When to use 我们 or 咱们

To say “we” or “us” in English, you have two options. But you might wonder, what’s the difference between 我们(wǒmen) and 咱们(zánmen)?

我们(wǒmen) can be used in both formal and informal contexts throughout all Chinese-speaking regions. 咱们(zánmen) is more commonly used in spoken language, especially in Northern China. Depending on the context, 我们(wǒmen) may or may not include the listener, while 咱们(zánmen) almost always includes the listener.

For example:

咱们一起去火车站吧。(Zánmen yīqǐ qù huǒchēzhàn ba.)
Let’s go to the train station together.

我们要去参加那个会议吗？(Wǒmen yào qù cānjiā nàge huìyì ma?)
Do we need to attend that meeting?

老公，咱们家今年夏天去哪儿旅游？(Lǎogōng, zánmen jiā jīnnián xiàtiān qù nǎr lǚyóu?)
Husband, where will our family travel this summer?
-> 咱们 includes the husband who is also the listener.

小王，我们家准备这周末去爬山，你们家呢？(Xiǎo Wáng, wǒmen jiā zhǔnbèi zhè zhōumò qù páshān, nǐmen jiā ne?)
Xiao Wang, our family is going to go hiking this weekend, what about your family?
-> As you can see, here 我们 doesn’t include 小王.

What’s the difference between 他们 and 她们

Also, note that 他们 (tāmen) can refer not only to groups of exclusively men but also to groups that include both men and women. However, if you’re referring to a group of exclusively women you should use 她们 (tāmen).

For example:

If there are five boys who have already gone to sleep, you can say:

他们都已经睡了。(Tāmen dōu yǐjīng shuì le.)
They have all gone to sleep.

If your friend group, including two boys and two girls, went out, you can say:

他们出去了。(Tāmen chūqù le.)
They went out.

If a group of girls is going shopping, you can say:

她们在逛街。(Tāmen zài guàng jiē.)
They are going shopping.

Reflexive Pronouns in Chinese

Reflexive pronouns in Chinese emphasize that the person doing the action is also the person affected by it. An example is 自己(zìjǐ, oneself), which can be added after another pronoun. Like regular pronouns, reflexive pronouns stay the same whether they’re the subject or object of a sentence.

For example:

他自己做了一个小程序。(Tā zìjǐ zuòle yīgè xiǎo chéngxù.)
He made a small program by himself.

你自己不能买票吗？(Nǐ zìjǐ bùnéng mǎi piào ma?)
Can’t you buy the tickets yourself?

我们自己去做这件事吧。(Wǒmen zìjǐ qù zuò zhè jiàn shì ba.)
Let’s do this thing ourselves.

你要相信你自己。(Nǐ yào xiāngxìn nǐ zìjǐ.)
You need to believe in yourself.

Possessive Pronouns in Chinese

Unlike English, which uses distinct words to indicate possession, Chinese simplifies this by using the word 的 (de) after a pronoun. For a more in-depth look at the usage of 的 (de), check out our article on the topic here.

Pronoun + 的(de)

For example:

这是你的袜子吗？(Zhè shì nǐ de wàzi ma?)
Are these your socks?

我们的汉语老师回中国了。(Wǒmen de Hànyǔ lǎoshī huí Zhōngguó le.)
Our Chinese teacher has returned to China.

他们的项目结束了。(Tāmen de xiàngmù jiéshù le.)
Their project has ended.

每个人都有自己的问题。(Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de wèntí.)
Everyone has their own problems.

Demonstrative Pronouns in Chinese

Demonstrative pronouns in Chinese point to specific objects, places, or individuals in relation to the speaker. These pronouns can help you navigate the world more easily and indicate specific points of interest in your conversations.

For example:

这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?)
What’s this?

这个房子是我去年买的。(Zhège fángzi shì wǒ qùnián mǎi de.)
This house is the one I bought last year.

那些菜都是妈妈们做的。(Nà xiē cài dōu shì māmāmen zuò de.)
Those dishes were all made by the mothers.

我们走这边吧。(Wǒmen zǒu zhè biān ba.)
Let’s go this way.

In addition to the examples above, we can also create more Demonstrative pronouns using 这(zhè) and 那(nà) combined with measure words other than 个(gè). This helps emphasize “this one” or “that one.” For instance:

• 这张 (zhè zhāng) – this one (used for objects with flat surfaces)
• 那杯 (nà bēi) – that one (indicates a cup of something)
• 这条 (zhè tiáo) – this one (used for elongated objects)
• 那本 (nà běn) – that one (used for books)

These combinations help you specify and point out specific objects in conversations, providing clarity and precision.

For example:

这本书是谁的？(Zhè běn shū shì shéi de?)
Whose book is this?

那条裙子真漂亮！(Nà tiáo qúnzi zhēn piàoliang!)
That dress is really beautiful!

Interrogative Pronouns in Chinese

In Chinese, we often use Interrogative Pronouns to ask questions and gather information.

For example:

谁来了？(Shuí lái le?)
Who came?

你做了什么？(Nǐ zuò le shénme?)
What did you do?

这房间怎么样？(Zhè fángjiān zěnmeyàng?)
What do you think about this room?

这些东西你喜欢哪个？(Zhèxiē dōngxi nǐ xǐhuān nǎge?)
Which one of these things do you like?

How to use 哪 with other Measure Words / Nouns

Besides 哪个(nǎ gè) as shown above, you can also use 哪 in combination with other measure words or nouns to mean “which.” For example 哪天 (nǎ tiān, which day), 哪支 (nǎ zhī, which pen), 哪件 (nǎ jiàn, which one for clothes), and so on. Keep in mind that “哪个” (nǎ gè) is just one example of how to say “which” in Chinese. You can use various measure words to specify different objects or situations.

For example:

我们哪天去爬山？(Wǒmen nǎ tiān qù páshān?)
Which day should we go mountain climbing?

你觉得哪件外套好看？(Nǐ juéde nǎ jiàn wàitào hǎokàn?)
Which jacket do you think looks good?

When to use 多少 or 几

多少(duōshǎo) and 几(jǐ ) are both used to inquire about numbers, but they differ in usage and scope. 多少(duōshǎo)  refers to numbers equal to or greater than ten, while 几(jǐ)  is used for numbers less than ten.

For example:

你有多少书？(Nǐ yǒu duōshǎo shū?)
How many books do you have?

几个人要吃饭？(Jǐ gè rén yào chī fàn?)
How many people want to eat?

Have a more in-depth look at the usage of interrogative sentences here.

Indefinite Pronouns in Chinese

Indefinite pronouns don’t pinpoint a specific person or thing. Instead, they provide a general or unspecified reference. We use them when we don’t need to or can’t identify an exact noun.

These pronouns make it easy to refer to unspecified or general things or people in Chinese conversations.

For example:

其他的衣服你可以拿走。(Qítā de yīfu nǐ kěyǐ ná zǒu.)
You can take away the other clothes.

每个学生都需要完成这个作业。(Měigè xuéshēng dōu xūyào wánchéng zhège zuòyè.) 
Every student needs to complete this assignment.

我想吃一些辣的东西。(Wǒ xiǎng chī yīxiē là de dōngxi.)
I want to eat something spicy.

你可以选任何一本书。(Nǐ kěyǐ xuǎn rènhé yī běn shū.)
You can choose any book.

Wrapping Up

From personal pronouns that define our relationships and identities to plural, reflexive, possessive, demonstrative, interrogative, and indefinite pronouns, each type serves a distinct purpose in shaping our conversations.

Mastering these pronouns is not just about language fluency but also a gateway to understanding Chinese culture and etiquette. They help us navigate everyday interactions and convey ideas with precision. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, grasping Chinese pronouns is a fundamental step in your language journey. We hope that the information provided here helps offer you a solid foundation to continue building your language skills. Happy learning!

Related Reading: Chinese for Beginners – All-in-One Guide

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Agriculture developed very early on in ancient China. Since then and until very recently, the majority of the population has been farmers. Agriculture remains central to national policy and forms the basis of life for millions of people.

Unsurprisingly, many characters linked to agriculture, farming, and nature are central to the Chinese language. If you look carefully, many characters resemble agricultural implements or have surprising connections to field management and crop cultivation.

For example, 木(mù) looks like a tree. The primitive pictograph 果(guǒ) is a tree 木(mù) with fruits on it. 田(tián) quite clearly resembles a field, while 竹(zhú) depicts two bamboo stalks with leaves. The ancient form of 米(mǐ) looked like a spike of rice, with the dots representing the kernels. 井(jǐng) derives from an image of a water well with a square mouth, and 禾(hé) looks similar to mature grain crops.

Chinese people’s immediate reality and personal experience influenced the development of Chinese culture and language. Some agriculture-related characters have permeated the language, taking on broader or more abstract meanings. Consider the characters 本 (běn) and 末 (mò).

本(běn) looks like a tree 木(mù) with an additional horizontal stroke symbolizing a tree root. The character translates very well to the English word “root,” meaning both the root of a plant and the root of a problem. Other possible meanings include “origin”, “basis”, “starting point”, and “original.” It is also a measure word for books, as books were seen as the source or “root” of knowledge. Meanwhile, 末 (mò) with its long horizontal stroke across the top part of the vertical stroke denotes the “tip of a tree.” It now means “end,” “late,” “final,” and similar concepts.

Other common characters linked to agriculture include 生(shēng) and 來(lái). The ancient form of 生(shēng) depicts a sprout emerging from the ground, meaning “birth,” “to give birth,” or “life.” The primitive pictograph 來 (lái) (simplified to 来) looks like a fruit hanging on a tree and means “to come” or “to arrive.”

The influence of agriculture on Chinese characters is profound, reflecting the central role of farming in Chinese culture and language. Share your learning experience with us!

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This time, we continue our thematic learning with twelve characters representing animals!

Origin

These animal characters are among the most ancient Chinese words. Similar to body parts, many of these characters visually resemble the animals they represent.

For example, the ancient glyph 羊 (yáng) resembles a sheep’s head with curved horns, with even the lower lip clearly indicated. Similarly, 牛 (niú) looks like an animal’s head with visible horns and ears. The ancient form of 鱼 (yú) depicted a fish with a head, scales, and fins.

However, through transformations and simplifications over time, some characters have changed beyond recognition. The ancient glyph of 虎 (hǔ) once contained a recognizable tiger’s head, tail, and claws, but the modern character requires quite a bit of imagination to see these features.

Radical “犭” 反犬旁 (fǎn quǎn páng)

Many of these animal characters are used in compound characters as meaning components. For example, 虩 (xì), which means “terrified,” and 像 (xiàng), which means “to resemble,” utilize these components.

Looking closely at another group of characters, we find the radical 犭:

• 猫 (māo) – cat
• 狗 (gǒu) – dog
• 猪 (zhū) – pig
• 猴 (hóu) – monkey

This radical originates from 犬 (quǎn), meaning “dog.” It is almost always used to denote an animal or beast. A helpful tip for beginners: if you see this radical but aren’t familiar with the character, it likely represents some kind of animal.

There are many more animal characters in the Chinese language. Share with us which ones we might have missed!

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Once, Chinese school students were encouraged by their teachers to write these characters in their copybooks and on their calligraphy-practice worksheets (描红纸 – miáo hǒng zhǐ).

Altogether, they have no special meaning: they’re purely a collection of characters used to practice Chinese writing skills, as the stroke order is rather easy. It may be helpful for you to also use this array of words to learn as a beginner (or teach your children the basics of reading and writing!).

Can you spot the characters that we already learnt?

Kong Yi Ji: Another Meaning

Try to read aloud the second line of the 上大人set. It sounds like “kǒng yǐ jǐ,” which is also the name of the main character of a story written by the famous Chinese writer 鲁迅（Lǔ Xùn）.

Kong Yiji is a name of a student who wants to become an official but always fails his Imperial Examinations. He makes money from copying manuscripts, but he sometimes steals the writing equipment, for which he is often beaten up. Whenever he has money, he drinks wine at a local inn.

One of the common opinions of historians is that the story’s author wanted to express the sadness of students at the end of the 19th century.

Try handwriting the above sheet on your own, and share your attempt with us in the below comments!

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As in many other languages, Chinese has multiple words that each have multiple meanings, also known as polysemy. These polysemantic words convey several concepts at once and can mean one of many things at the same time. One common example is 面(miàn),  which means “side”, “surface” or “face”.

Bodily Characters in Chinese

面(miàn) is not the only important Chinese character related to the body. What’s fascinating about these bodily characters is that their pictographs often closely resemble what they represent.

For example, look at the word 口(kǒu). Similarly, the ancient written form of 耳(ěr) looks like a human ear, and that of 足(zú) resembles a foot. It is commonly thought that 手(shǒu) is written to resemble the shape of a hand with five fingers. However, remember not to confuse 手 (shǒu) with 毛 (máo), which was designed to resemble a feather.

Visual Representation in Characters

目(mù) looks like a human eye on its side, with its left end at the top and the right end at the bottom. While it is not used as a standalone word today, it remains a crucial part of some important Chinese words, such as:

• 目光 (mù guāng) – vision, sight, view
• 目标 (mù biāo) – target

Beginners often confuse 目(mù) with 自(zì), which refers to one’s “nose”. The character 自 (zì) was derived from the resemblance of a human nose, but its meaning extended over time to also refer to one’s “self.” This may be because when speaking about oneself, people often point to their nose. 自 (zì) is part of the commonly used word 自己 (zì jǐ) – oneself, one’s own.

Another character not to be confused with 目 (mù) and 自 (zì) is 首 (shǒu), which is written to resemble the shape of a human head.

Significance of 心 and 血

The character 心 (xīn), representing the heart, was probably not a recognizable object in ancient times. It is most likely a pictograph that originally referred to the entire torso, understood to contain the heart. Meanwhile, 血 (xuè), meaning blood, is likely a pictograph depicting a basin of sacrificial blood.

Memorizing these symbols is crucial for further study of Chinese, as many of them are used as radicals in compound characters. By understanding the origins and representations of these characters, you can gain deeper insights into the Chinese language and its rich cultural heritage.

Share your learning experience with us!

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The ancient form of 口 resembled an open mouth. To write this character, start with a vertical stroke (丨 – shù), then add a horizontal turning stroke, and finish with a second horizontal stroke (一 – héng).

The most obvious meaning of 口 is “mouth.” However, it can also mean an opening or a gate in a city wall, or even a big jar. This is why the character for “product” or “goods” looks like three 口 stacked together: 品 (pǐn).

As a radical, 口 often appears on the left side of a character, but it can also be an upper or lower component. Characters with this radical usually relate to the mouth or its functions:

• 吃 (chī) – to eat
• 喝 (hē) – to drink
• 吐 (tǔ) – to spit
• 咳嗽 (késòu) – to cough
• 叫 (jiào) – to call
• 告 (gào) – to tell

To exclaim something, one usually needs to open their mouth. This might be why the 口 radical appears in many Chinese exclamative particles. For example:

• 你好吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) – Are you fine?
• 我们去北京吧！ (Wǒmen qù Běijīng ba!) – Let’s go to Beijing!
• 我很累，你呢？ (Wǒ hěn lèi, nǐ ne?) – I am tired, what about you?
• 哈哈，我差点笑死了。 (Hā hā, wǒ chàdiǎn xiào sǐ le.) – Haha, I almost died laughing.

To deepen your understanding of Chinese characters and their components, explore additional resources and methods. Check out this comprehensive list of Chinese characters and learn about effective strategies for writing Chinese characters. For a structured approach, consider the topic-oriented method, which can help you efficiently learn hundreds of characters. Finally, make use of various resources for learning Chinese characters to support your study and practice.

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