What Character Is That?: An Easy-Access Dictionary of 5,000 Chinese Characters

This book is an excellent, step by step approach to the world of deciphering unknown Chinese characters. The best thing about this reference tool is that ANYONE can read its very understandable explanations and begin to search the meanings of Chinese characters. While this is not a dictionary in the traditional sense of the word, this "dictionary" is designed for the non-Native speaker and therefore alphabetizes Chinese radicals by their English names/meanings. To anyone familiar with Chinese Radicals, they are a fundamental part of learning the language and being able to become an independent learner/reader. This is an AWESOME first step resource in learning the concept, use and functionality of RADICALS. Once comfortable with the use of this "dictionary", one can confidently graduate into the labyrinth that is a real Chinese dictionary, as there are different modes of organizing dictionaries and often one finds one needs several varieties of dictionaries. Well worry not as this tool has the potential of exposing one to 5,000 characters. What I especially like about this resource is the following: (1) It starts very slowly and proceeds step by step; (2) It has some easy to follow, confidence building quizzes at the beginning; (3) Its characters are in semi-large print that makes duplication easy to do; (4) It has **BOTH** Traditional & Simplified characters; (5) It also has multiple reference charts that makes finding characters quick and easy. This book is such a must to any beginning or intermediate level student. I should know as I teach Chinese in a middle school and I found this book so useful that I ordered 2 class sets for my students. I had six graders busily looking up unknown characters after a couple days practice. Now, instead of continuously asking me what a character means, they grab one of the "dictionaries" and look up the character themselves. You have no idea what a difference in their confidence levels this has made!!!! Trust me folks--save yourself alot of time and hassels, if you are at the beginning to intermediate level, this book is the ultimate primer for radicals and accessing unknown characters!

This dictionary is a ¡°must¡± for all Americans who want to easily learn to read ,write and speak Chinese. To tour and work in mainland China, I needed a dictionary which would allow me, a non-native speaker, to read Chinese characters on maps, street signs, menus etc. I found all other ¡°Chinese to English¡± dictionaries at bookstores in the USA totally useless to me. Why? They were organized phonetically by Chinese words in alphabetical order. This meant I had to already know Chinese to find out what the character meant! I was a Yale language major many years ago, joined the Foreign Service and taught English in Brazil. Several years ago, at age 64, I returned to my earlier profession and taught English in southern China. With the help of this extraordinary book, I was able to read and write letters in Chinese characters. It also helped me learn to speak Chinese at the basic level in both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects. I am now 66 years old and continue to learn. Recently I happily married a Chinese woman from Beijing who is only 50 years old. Without Mr.Go's books, I doubt that my new, great happiness in life would be possible.

Too bad that this book cannot be rated to TEN stars. This book definitely proves that the concept of learning over 5,000 Chinese characters is in fact POSSIBLE. For anyone who thinks that learning all of those characters is impossible, BUY THIS BOOK. This book shows all of the necessary radicals, or "roots" of those characters-thoroughly, which is fundamental to learning Chinese characters. In addition to the radicals, each character is given it's pinjin pronounciation WITH it's definition. I am talking about over 5,000 characters here! Note that a Modern Chinese/English dictionary is also useful in learning to read Chinese text. Yet, if you want to learn how to read the fundamental 5,000+ Chinese characters, then this book is a good way to start.

This book seems almost too wonderful to be true. It starts by showing you the root and origin of 43 characters that are the key to unlocking over 4,000 charaters. It swiftly brings you from the "Ancient origins" to the "Traditional" to the "Simplified". The author has created several clever and enjoyable ways to understand and remember the Characters. It is really so much more than a dictionary... everyone studying Chinese should have one.... and put contact paper on it right away, because you will wear this book out.

In my stuggles with the Chinese I have encountered many dictionaries and text books. This is probably the best comprehensive introduction to Chinese that I've seen. If you're going to China, taking Chinese classes or if you just want to read a Chinese menu, this probably will not be the last or most comprehensive book that you will want but it is the very first book that you must get! Reading it will make all future encounters with Chinese significantly demystified and much more user-friendly. Best of all, you will learn to navigate through a Chinese to English dictionary with ease. Buy it, and enjoy!