Let's start with the fundamental base of the Chinese language: the characters. Unlike many other languages, Chinese does not use a traditional alphabet. Instead of letters, the Chinese writing system is composed of characters known as hanzi (汉字), which are visual representations that express entire ideas or concepts, rather than simply representing sounds.

Each character in Chinese functions as an individual word or can be combined with others to form new words. Each character is made up of three key aspects: meaning, shape, and pronunciation.

• Meaning: Each character has its own meaning, representing a specific idea or concept. For example, the character 口 means “mouth”. The shape of the character is a simple square that recalls the shape of a mouth or an opening.
• Shape: Characters are constructed from basic strokes that are combined according to certain established rules. These strokes are crucial not only for the character's appearance, but also for ensuring its correct writing.
• Pronunciation: Each character has an associated pronunciation. Each character always corresponds to a syllable, which means that each individual character represents a single unit of sound. For example, the character 口 is pronounced [kǒu] (/kʰoʊ̯/). For non-native students, the Pinyin system is a vital tool, as it uses the Latin alphabet to represent the sounds of the characters. We will look in detail at what Pinyin is and the use of tones in future lessons.

口

[kǒu]
3 strokes

Mastering these aspects is essential for successfully learning to read and write in Chinese. As you delve into the learning of characters, you will discover an internal structure and artistic beauty that make Chinese a truly unique and fascinating language.