Notice that the middle line is the shortest, that the top line is a little longer than the middle line, and that the bottom line is the longest of the three strokes. Notice also that the Chinese numbers 一二三 are simple ideographs, being symbolic representations of the concepts “one, two, three,” much like the Roman numerals I II III turned on their sides. Contrast 三 and 二 èr (2). Reading Exercises (Simplified and Traditional Characters)
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.
Pinyin is sometimes added to characters on signs but is often, as here, incorrect
1. 三
2. 一
3. 五
4. 二
5. 四
6. 一
7. 三
8. 二
9. 四
10. 五
B. TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Read out loud each of the following telephone numbers.
1. 三 二 一 二 五
2. 一 一 四 二
3. 三 五 一 三 四
4. 五 二 一 一 一
5. 三 三 二 四 三
6. 五 五 四 三
7. 四 四 二 一 五 三 四 二
8. 一 一 三 五 一 二 三 四
9. 三 五 二 三 四 四 一 四
10. 二 五 二 三 四 二 三 一
C. SURNAMES
Read out loud the following common Chinese surname.
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, larger-size Kai font is used for the six new characters, with smaller-size Song font used everywhere else; 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 Mandarin Chinese Reading & Writing Practice Book.
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 BMC–SL 2-3.
PART 2
Numbers from 6 to 10 and the Surname Lín
New Characters and Words
Study
