1. 王
D. CHARACTER DIFFERENTIATION DRILLS
Distinguish carefully the following similar-looking characters, pronouncing each one out loud and thinking of its meaning.
1. 三 三 三 二 二 二
2. 二 二 二 三 三 三
3. 王 王 王 五 五 五
4. 五 五 五 王 王 王
Notes
| A1a. | A NOTE ON CHINESE FONTS. To help you attain proficiency in reading printed Chinese, this textbook has been designed to expose you to several different printed fonts. The Reading Exercises for units A, B, and 1-4 have been set in Kai font, which is the font closest to handwriting. Beginning with Unit 5, Song font—the most common font for books and periodicals—is employed. In the New Characters and Words sections at the beginning of each lesson, Kai font is used for the characters in blue type, with Song font used for the characters in black type; Song font is also used for the characters in the Notes at the end of each lesson. You may notice minor variations in how some strokes are written in these different fonts, but be assured you’ll gradually become accustomed to them. Though you need to be able to recognize Chinese characters printed in various fonts, for your own handwriting you should follow the models on the character practice sheets in the accompanying Basic Written Chinese Practice Essentials. |
| A1b. | A NOTE ON VARIATION IN WRITTEN CHINESE. Given the immense population and vast area of China, and the substantial diversity among the various Chinese-speaking societies, it’s to be expected that there is a significant amount of variation in written Chinese. Native writers from different areas will at times use different vocabulary and grammar and may have different stylistic preferences. This textbook always offers at least one acceptable alternative, but you shouldn’t be surprised if you encounter variation. The best course of action for you is learning at least one correct way of saying or writing something, and then being a careful observer of how native speakers use Chinese in society. |
| B7. | Telephone numbers in the larger cities of China are eight digits in length. In smaller cities and the countryside, telephone numbers may consist of fewer than eight digits. Mobile phone numbers usually have eleven digits. |
| B10. | In formal writing, as on business cards or letterheads, telephone numbers may be indicated using the Chinese numerals, as here. However, telephone numbers are also commonly written with Arabic numerals, as in English, but often without the use of any hyphens, e.g., as 42235151 rather than 4223-5151. The lack of hyphens doesn’t seem to bother Chinese people, who are used to reading and memorizing long number sequences, but often creates difficulties for Americans. |
| C1. | For more information on Chinese surnames, cf. note SV5E in BSC 2-3. |
PART 2
Numbers from 6 to 10 and the Surname Lín
Study the six characters below and the common words written with them, paying careful attention to each character’s pronunciation, meaning, and structure, as well as similar-looking characters. After you’ve studied a character, turn to the Practice Essentials volume and practice writing it on the practice sheet, making sure to follow the correct stroke order and direction as you pronounce it out loud and think of its meaning.
7 六 liù six
Radical is 八 bā “eight” (9), see below.
六 liù six [NU]
8 七 qī seven
Radical is 一 yī (1).
七 qī seven [NU]
9 八 bā eight
八 is itself a radical.
八 bā eight [NU]
10 九 jiŭ nine
Radical is 乙 yĭ “second of the ten Celestial Stems.” 九 can itself serve as a phonetic, e.g, 究 jiū as in 研究 yánjiū “research” or 鸠 (鳩) jiū as in 斑鸠 (斑鳩) bānjiū “turtle dove.”
九 jiŭ nine [NU]
11 十 shí ten
十 is itself a radical. This character was originally a picture of two hands pressed palm to palm, i.e., “ten” fingers. Contrast 十 and 七 qī (8).
十 shí ten [NU]
12 林 lín grove, small forest
Radical is the pictograph 木 mù “tree” [BF]. This radical is referred to colloquially as 木字旁 mùzìpáng “side made up of the character 木.” Note that when 木 is written at the left of a character as a radical, its last stroke is shortened so that it doesn’t collide with the component to its right. “Two” “trees” standing next to each other form a “grove.” 林 can itself serve as a phonetic, e.g., 淋 lín as in 淋湿 (淋濕) línshī “soaked, drenched.”
林 Lín Lin, Lam, Lum, Lim (also Lim, Im, or Rim, a common Korean surname) [SN]
Now practice reading the new characters and words for this lesson in context. Be sure to refer to the Notes at the end of this lesson, and make use of the accompanying audio disc to hear and practice correct pronunciation, phrasing, and intonation.
A. SINGLE DIGITS
Read out loud each of the following numbers.
1. 十
2. 七
3. 六
4. 九
5. 八
6. 六
7. 七
8. 十
9. 九
10. 八
B. TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Read out loud each of the following telephone numbers.
一、三 九 五 九 四 一 三 九
二、八 六 一 二 四
三、七 一 九 二 六 八 七 九
四、五 七 八 九 二 六
五、九 六 八 四 一 八 七 三
六、二 二 八 五 六 七 八 五
C. MISCELLANEOUS NUMBERS
Read out loud each of the following series of numbers. Some of them have special meanings and usages, for which you can consult the Notes at the end of this lesson.
一、一 三 五
二、二 四 六
三、一 二 三 四 五
四、五 四 三 二 一
五、六 七 八 九 十
六、十 九 八 七 六
七、一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十
八、十 九 八 七 六 五 四 三 二 一
九、二 四 六 八 十
十、一 三 五 七 九
D. SURNAMES
Read