Basic Written Chinese: An Introduction to Reading and Writing for Beginners

Basic Written Chinese: An Introduction to Reading and Writing for Beginners is a comprehensive course for learning to read and write Mandarin Chinese. This book is part of the "Basic Chinese" series and serves as the foundational text for written language, paired with its companion, Basic Spoken Chinese.

• Recommended Level: Beginner (Equivalent to HSK 1 and HSK 2). Designed for students with no prior knowledge of Chinese characters who wish to reach basic proficiency.

• Useful Features:

  • Core Vocabulary: Introduces 288 high-frequency characters (in both simplified and traditional forms) and over 700 common words.

  • Character Analysis: Provides detailed explanations of character structures and specific drills to differentiate between "look-alike" characters.

  • Practical Application: Includes "realia" such as business cards, street signs, and emails to help learners navigate real-world situations.

  • Visual Variety: Shows characters in various printed fonts and handwritten forms to prepare students for everyday reading.

  • Audio Support: Access to an online media kit with over 6 hours of recordings by native speakers, covering all reading selections and vocabulary.