<![CDATA[About Chinese words]]>Chinese words are 象形文字, ie. the character looks like the object it means. For example:


http://i53.tinypic.com/j8n0jb.jpg\">
日 comes from this pictorial representation of a sun.

http://i52.tinypic.com/vi1dht.jpg\">
山 comes from this pictorial representation of a mountain.

Over the centuries, ancient Chinese used the 象形words as a base and created more words out of the original 象形.

Example 1:

http://i55.tinypic.com/15yuqo6.jpg\">
看is made up of 手(on top) and 目 (at the bottom). When we put our hand above our eyes, it symbolises we are looking at something, so that’s 看. This word is formed using the basic 象形 but based on the intention of the combined basic 象形.

Example 2:

Words such as 猪，狗，猫，狼 etc all have the same character on their left hand side, ie. 反犬旁. Whenever we see this character on the left side (偏旁), we know that the word refers to an animal.

Example 3:

财refers to money, property, like 财产，发财. Ancient Chinese used the method of combining a sound side (声旁) and a meaning side (形旁) to create this word. 财sounds like 才. And贝 refers to money as seashells were used as a form of currency in the past. Thus by combining the 2 characters together, it combines the sound of 才and the meaning of 贝 and thus created 财.

So, how can we make use of such characteristics in the Chinese words to help our children learn Chinese?

Here are some suggestions to teach our children Chinese words:

1. Relate the words to the objects the words mean. Show them the similarity between the object and the word. The visual relationship between the word and what the object means can help the children remember the words more easily.

2. Prepare a picture of the object (if it’s a basic 象形字). Ask your child to trace or write the word on the object. Or, you can ask your child to draw the object and write the word on the object.

3. Help your child identify the sides (偏旁) and teach him what the sides are usually associated with or what the sides mean (as in eg. 2 and eg. 3). This is especially useful when the child learns more words that look similar (usually in upper primary). It helps them to differentiate these similar looking words and remember them correctly.

As a last note, since Chinese words are 象形文字, not phonetic, we should teach them without hanyu pinyin. Chinese is not hanyu pinyin. If we introduce hanyu pinyin too early, children end up relying on them and reading from them instead. Hanyu pinyin comes in handy when children progress to reading a story on their own, and there are some words they don’t know yet.

For parents who need hanyu pinyin to aid them, it's fine to get story books with hanyu pinyin. But the focus should be on the Chinese words. You can pick out certain words you want to teach your child and write it out separately on a piece of paper, then relate it back to the story.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/22983/about-chinese-wordsRSS for NodeFri, 17 Apr 2026 07:09:19 GMTFri, 10 Jun 2011 13:06:10 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:12:30 GMT]]>You got them correct 😄

That's the general rule of thumb.

You have found a scenario I have not thought of. Thanks.
In the sentence, 云白得像天鹅, the later part 像天鹅 describes the extent of the whiteness of the cloud in front - as white as a swan. When we want to elaborate on the extent/ intensity (程度) of something in front, 得 is used, though 白 is not a verb. Like 那位歌星最近红得发紫.

得 is read as 'dei' when it means \"must/ need to\". Like 我得把功课做完 or 我得花两个小时才能做完.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/596782https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/596782Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:12:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:50:49 GMT]]>Thanks a lot Kattay! The story books were published in 1990, it is in the series of Chinese Language Instructional materials for Primary School (CLIPS) supplementary readers.


Regarding the 云白得像天鹅，not 的
Yup, the book wrote the 得, hehe I typed wrongly, but why it used 得 in this sentence?

I still don't understand between how to use 地 and 得. I read your notes about this (many times :oops: ), but I am still confused. This is the way I teach my son, please correct me if I am wrong, so I can teach my son correctly:
地: we use if adjective + 地 + verb
e.g. 高高兴兴地走回家.
伤心地哭起来.

得: we use if verb + 得+...
e.g. 吃得很慢.
做得很好

Another question about 得
When to use 得 that we read as 'dei'? I read some of my son's story book use this, but I don't know how to explain to him.. Thanks a lot Kattay!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/596200https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/596200Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:50:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:55:12 GMT]]>Hi allseasons,


The 2 sentences should have used 像. There was a period when 象 was treated as the simplied version of 像. Some books may have continued to use this rule. This rule is not valid now.

Btw, it should be 云白得像天鹅，not 的

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595962https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595962Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:55:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:26:36 GMT]]>Hi Kattay,


Thanks a lot for your clear explanation. I have explained them to my son. But we are confused again when we encountered these in story books… Can you help me whether these are correct or a kind of typos:

1. 大鸟飞飞停停， 好象是故意的。
2。云白的象天鹅。

(In the above sentences, is the 象 correct or should it be 像?）

Thank you in advance Kattay!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595011https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595011Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:26:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:59:28 GMT]]>Hi allseasons,


I'll try my best to answer your question.

像 is \"look like\" or \"as though\", eg: 天上的白云像一朵朵的棉花
象 is \"elephant\" but it can also use to mean the look of something, an impression, eg. 商场中人来人往，一幅繁荣的景象; 雷电是一种自然现象; 他的演说让我留下了深刻的印象; 电影公司为他塑造了一个清纯的形象 (they are all nouns).

Hope this helps.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/578557https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/578557Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:59:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:12:51 GMT]]>Hi Kattay,


I need your help :?: . Can you tell me what are the differences of 像and 象, and how to use them in the sentence? Thanks a lot Kattay!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/578450https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/578450Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:12:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:23:40 GMT]]>You are most welcome 🙂

I'll post other info when I have time...have been very busy lately.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/574486https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/574486Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:23:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:11:46 GMT]]>hi kattay, glad to find this thread, great sharing that you have here! Hope to give DD a good headstart in Chinese before primary school. :thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/573351https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/573351Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:11:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:51:52 GMT]]>Thanks Kattay… excellent advice!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/572853https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/572853Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:51:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:34:17 GMT]]>Hi wan2bdad,


You should teach your child the characters first. The purpose of hanyu pinyin is to help the child to "pronounce" certain words he doesn’t know so that he can continue reading a passage. It should take 2nd priority. If you teach hypy before word recognition, he will rely on hypy for reading. Furthermore, he will be learning phonics in school soon, and he may get confused between phonics and hypy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/571944https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/571944Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:34:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:52:38 GMT]]>Need some good advice.


For younger child (3 to 4 years old), should we get the kids to recognise the character or Han Yu Pin Yin 1st?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/571623https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/571623Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:52:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:20:16 GMT]]>Hi kattay,


Thank you for your help. Will check it out.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560989https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560989Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:20:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:01:28 GMT]]>Hi SAHM_TAN,


I think you are referring to 量词. I have this 量词词典 that I bought from Popular bookstore some years ago. It's from the Federal Publications. Not sure if they still have it.

http://i55.tinypic.com/210hx01.jpg\">

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560443https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560443Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:01:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:31:34 GMT]]>Hi kattay,


Do you know if there are books on the correct word to use for types of quantity for items? For example 1 xx table, 1 xx cloth, 1 xx apple, etc. TIA

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/559762https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/559762Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:31:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:09:04 GMT]]>

kattay:
Hi SAHM_TAN,


From what I know, MOE did not determine a fixed list of Chinese words a pre-schooler must learn, unlike for primary school. Each pre-school centre will determine their own list.

Personally, I think we can teach our children words relating to the following:
-Numbers
-Certain common occupations (like teacher, fireman, police etc...)
-Feelings (happy, sad, angry etc...)
-Colours
-Body parts
-Actions (jump, write, walk etc...)
-Places (park, beach, playground etc...)
-Nature/ surronding (sun, moon, day, night etc...)
-Daily activities (showering, eating, sleeping etc...)
-Family members
-Animals
-Games/ sports
-Comparisons (up/down, tall/short etc...)
-Prepositions (behind, on top etc)
-Conjunctions (and, but, or etc...)

The list of not exhaustive. You can think of some more. Some could be 认读字for the time being; don't need to learn to write. These words often appear in story books, so by learning how to read help the children to enjoy the story better. These words are also something that are relevant to them, so it'll help them to articulate their thoughts and reduce their frustration. And it'll help in their oral next time.
Thanks for the suggestion 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/463936https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/463936Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:09:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:17:56 GMT]]>Hi SAHM_TAN,


From what I know, MOE did not determine a fixed list of Chinese words a pre-schooler must learn, unlike for primary school. Each pre-school centre will determine their own list.

Personally, I think we can teach our children words relating to the following:
-Numbers
-Certain common occupations (like teacher, fireman, police etc…)
-Feelings (happy, sad, angry etc…)
-Colours
-Body parts
-Actions (jump, write, walk etc…)
-Places (park, beach, playground etc…)
-Nature/ surronding (sun, moon, day, night etc…)
-Daily activities (showering, eating, sleeping etc…)
-Family members
-Animals
-Games/ sports
-Comparisons (up/down, tall/short etc…)
-Prepositions (behind, on top etc)
-Conjunctions (and, but, or etc…)

The list of not exhaustive. You can think of some more. Some could be 认读字for the time being; don’t need to learn to write. These words often appear in story books, so by learning how to read help the children to enjoy the story better. These words are also something that are relevant to them, so it’ll help them to articulate their thoughts and reduce their frustration. And it’ll help in their oral next time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/463698https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/463698Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:17:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:20:58 GMT]]>Hi kattay,


:thankyou: for sharing. This is great stuff :celebrate:

Have bookmarked your blog!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460455https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460455Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:20:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:14:56 GMT]]>Hi kattay,


May I know what are the Chinese characters a child must know before going to P1? May I know where can I find such list?

Thank you

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460449https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460449Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:14:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:08:28 GMT]]>With your (parents) active participation in your child's journey in learning Chinese, he/ she will do better. There are some不闻不问parents and parents who do not see the value in Chinese...


Keep up the good work 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460444https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/460444Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:08:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:17:57 GMT]]>Tell me about it!


I just don't understand why my kids' spoken chinese can be so 惨不忍‘听’

Can only blame myself for realising it only now. But late better than never 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/459903https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/459903Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:17:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:44:20 GMT]]>kattay, well-written explanation on “的”, “地” and “得”- it took me many months, checking many books before I figured out how to explain to ds.


Please do continue to share resources and tips on learning chinese. At upper primary, we find it very 吃力 as kid’s foundation in language is not strong and lacks the 语感.

Ladies, you can find kattay’s blog by checking her [profile].

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/459666https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/459666Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:44:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:18:22 GMT]]>Thanks Kattay, for the reminder. I actually forgot about the mindmap :slapshead: Yes this is a fantastic way of showing the relationship between different 词语。


As for 成语, yes i do explain its 典故 if the 典故 is interesting and if I can remember :oops: Else, I normally break up the words and explain from there.

Looking forward to your blog too!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/453142https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/453142Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:18:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:30:30 GMT]]>Thanks a lot Kattay.. Wow, you have a blog. Please let me know the link, so I can visit it.. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/450238https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/450238Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:30:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to About Chinese words on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:59:04 GMT]]>Hi allseasons,


The 2nd 宝 in 宝宝 shold be neutral tone. Not sure why they print as \"bao3 bao3\". :scratchhead:

\"过来\" is another exception. When it's a verb that shows direction, it shall be read with a neutral tone. Eg. 过来, 过去, 起来

Sure, whenever I post on my blog, I'll share it here.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/450155https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/450155Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:59:04 GMT