I'd like to add the following: 11. Sometimes, two characters can be next to each other and form a compound word which, though written in exactly the same way at different times, has a different pronunciation, depending on the context. For example: 东西 (dōngxi) - "thing" and 东西 (dōng-xī) - "East-West" (note the neutral tone in _xi_ in the first example). 12. Chinese has several reversibles (reversible compound words where the meaning stays the same, is similar or changes when the order of the characters is switched): 紧要 (jǐn yào) "critical, vital" and 要紧 (yào jǐn) "important, serious"; 国外 (guówài) "external, overseas, abroad", 外国 (wàiguó) "foreign country"; 要想 (yàoxiǎng) "the need to think, consider" (implying a condition or something that needs to be thought about before proceeding), 想要 (xiǎng yào) "wish to have, desire". With regard to pinyin, while useful in the beginning, its use can breed dependency (at least it did for a time in my case), leaving one struggling to ditch it and daring to make the leap to reading Chinese characters. Drop it as soon as you can (even if it makes you uncomfortable) and start reading in Chinese. Also, don't let the claims of "Chinese grammar is easy" lull you into a false sense of security. As you progress, you'll find plenty of grammatical pitfalls to worry about.
Thankyou 😊
Nî hăo...from Greece.
Nǐ hǎo from China🇨🇳
Your english is superb!
Thanks💕
I'd like to add the following:
11. Sometimes, two characters can be next to each other and form a compound word which, though written in exactly the same way at different times, has a different pronunciation, depending on the context. For example: 东西 (dōngxi) - "thing" and 东西 (dōng-xī) - "East-West" (note the neutral tone in _xi_ in the first example).
12. Chinese has several reversibles (reversible compound words where the meaning stays the same, is similar or changes when the order of the characters is switched): 紧要 (jǐn yào) "critical, vital" and 要紧 (yào jǐn) "important, serious"; 国外 (guówài) "external, overseas, abroad", 外国 (wàiguó) "foreign country"; 要想 (yàoxiǎng) "the need to think, consider" (implying a condition or something that needs to be thought about before proceeding), 想要 (xiǎng yào) "wish to have, desire".
With regard to pinyin, while useful in the beginning, its use can breed dependency (at least it did for a time in my case), leaving one struggling to ditch it and daring to make the leap to reading Chinese characters. Drop it as soon as you can (even if it makes you uncomfortable) and start reading in Chinese. Also, don't let the claims of "Chinese grammar is easy" lull you into a false sense of security. As you progress, you'll find plenty of grammatical pitfalls to worry about.
Very good points!!
Nî hăo from the US
Nǐ hǎo from China🇨🇳
would be interested to hear more about character radicals if you're looking for future video ideas :D
Good idea!
This video was definately super useful. I am a beginner so it gave me the necessary back ground. Xiexie. Zhu Junyi (my chosen Chinese name)
Thanks for your comment Junyi! It's a well chosen name and it sounds very authentic
First 🎉
congrats