DLI 1-9

In this lesson, read through the information for each character. In your character notebook, draw a picture or cartoon of the story that will help you remember the character. Then take the quiz.

nán

male
田 + 力
field + power/*muscle

males are more field power

guǒ

fruit
田 + 木
field + tree

fruit orchard: a field of trees

alternatively: 日+木 sun + tree, need sun to ripen the fruit on the trees

rén

*persona
person modified

This is one of the most common components in Chinese characters, so you need to choose a very uncommon person to be the "persona" in these character stories--a funny uncle, a favorite teacher, etc.--make sure it is someone that you know well who has a very colorful personality.

as a component: “人字旁” or “单人旁”

𠂉

*lying down
person modified

evening
moon modified

obscured moon

as a component: “夕字旁”

míng

name [n.]
夕 + 口
evening + mouth

father whispering his baby's name at night

shouting names of kids to bring them home in evening

call out your name in the evening, so they know who is approaching

character
宀 + 子zǐ
house + child

child practicing characters at home

individual
𠆢 + 丨
umbrella + stick

express individual style through your umbrella: Gene Kelly “Singin’ in the Rain”

alternatively: 人 + 丨 person + stick: maybe you are counting people, maybe sticks

offer [v.], *slingshot
弓 + 一
bow modified + one

picture of something under a school desk or a slingshot

*drummer boy
士 + 豆
soldier + beans

A boy soldier who plays the drum and is also the camp cook. *Notice the bottom of 士 overlaps with the top of 豆.

*fine silk
幺 + 小
cocoon + small

The smallest cocoons make the finest silk.

as a component: “独立绞丝”

shuǐ

*snowflake
water modified

as a component: “泰字底水“

DLI 1-9

Quiz

Show Answers