We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Chinese Writing

Save

Chinese writing is a fascinating and complex system that has been used for thousands of years to communicate in China and other East Asian countries. It is a unique and beautiful form of writing that can be both challenging and rewarding to learn. There are many reasons why someone might want to learn Chinese writing. Some people are interested in learning it for academic reasons, such as studying Chinese literature or history. Others may want to learn it for business or professional reasons, such as working with Chinese companies or clients. Still others may simply be interested in learning it for personal enrichment, such as being able to read Chinese newspapers or books.

History of Chinese Writing

Chinese writing has a long and rich history. The earliest known forms of Chinese writing date back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC) and were used for divination and record-keeping. Over time, Chinese writing evolved and became more complex, and it was eventually adopted for use in literature, philosophy, and other forms of communication. Today, Chinese writing is one of the most widely used writing systems in the world, with over 1 billion people using it as their primary means of communication.

Types of Chinese Writing

Read more

Chinese writing is a fascinating and complex system that has been used for thousands of years to communicate in China and other East Asian countries. It is a unique and beautiful form of writing that can be both challenging and rewarding to learn. There are many reasons why someone might want to learn Chinese writing. Some people are interested in learning it for academic reasons, such as studying Chinese literature or history. Others may want to learn it for business or professional reasons, such as working with Chinese companies or clients. Still others may simply be interested in learning it for personal enrichment, such as being able to read Chinese newspapers or books.

History of Chinese Writing

Chinese writing has a long and rich history. The earliest known forms of Chinese writing date back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC) and were used for divination and record-keeping. Over time, Chinese writing evolved and became more complex, and it was eventually adopted for use in literature, philosophy, and other forms of communication. Today, Chinese writing is one of the most widely used writing systems in the world, with over 1 billion people using it as their primary means of communication.

Types of Chinese Writing

There are two main types of Chinese writing: traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. Traditional Chinese is the older form of writing and is still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Simplified Chinese is a newer form of writing that was developed in the 1950s in mainland China. Simplified Chinese is more commonly used in mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

There are also two main styles of Chinese writing: cursive and regular. Cursive writing is a more informal style of writing that is used for everyday communication. Regular writing is a more formal style of writing that is used for official documents and publications.

Learning Chinese Writing

Learning Chinese writing can be a challenging but rewarding experience. There are a number of different ways to learn Chinese writing, including taking classes, using online resources, or hiring a tutor. The best way to learn Chinese writing is to find a method that works for you and to practice regularly.

If you are interested in learning Chinese writing, there are a number of online courses that can help you get started. These courses can provide you with the basic knowledge and skills you need to begin writing Chinese characters. However, it is important to note that online courses are not a substitute for formal instruction. If you are serious about learning Chinese writing, it is recommended that you take classes from a qualified instructor.

Benefits of Learning Chinese Writing

There are many benefits to learning Chinese writing. For one, it can help you to better understand the Chinese language and culture. Additionally, it can open up new opportunities for you in business, academia, and other fields. Finally, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience to learn a new writing system.

Careers in Chinese Writing

There are a number of different careers that involve Chinese writing. Some of these careers include:

  • Chinese language teacher
  • Chinese translator
  • Chinese journalist
  • Chinese editor
  • Chinese writer

These are just a few of the many careers that involve Chinese writing. If you are interested in a career in Chinese writing, there are a number of different paths you can take to get started.

Conclusion

Chinese writing is a fascinating and complex system that has been used for thousands of years to communicate in China and other East Asian countries. It is a unique and beautiful form of writing that can be both challenging and rewarding to learn. There are many reasons why someone might want to learn Chinese writing, and there are many different ways to learn it. If you are interested in learning Chinese writing, there are a number of online courses that can help you get started. However, it is important to note that online courses are not a substitute for formal instruction. If you are serious about learning Chinese writing, it is recommended that you take classes from a qualified instructor.

Path to Chinese Writing

Take the first step.
We've curated one courses to help you on your path to Chinese Writing. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Chinese Writing: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Chinese Writing.
One of the most comprehensive dictionaries ever compiled for Chinese characters, this book lists over 47,000 characters. It useful reference for learners of Chinese and anyone interested in understanding the writing system in depth.
Comprehensive course on Chinese writing. It provides a step-by-step guide to learning how to write Chinese characters, and includes exercises and practice materials.
Comprehensive dictionary of Chinese characters. It provides the meanings, pronunciations, and etymologies of Chinese characters, and is an essential reference work for anyone who wants to learn more about Chinese writing.
Collection of essays on the art of Chinese calligraphy. It provides insights into the techniques and philosophies of Chinese writing, and valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this art form.
Explores the relationship between Chinese writing and Chinese culture. It discusses how Chinese characters have influenced Chinese history, philosophy, and art.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Chinese writing, from its origins to the present day. It discusses the different writing systems that have been used in China over the centuries, and how they have evolved over time.
An academic survey of the history of Chinese characters. is useful for learners who want to go deep on the etymologies of Chinese characters. It is not as accessible as other books on this list, but it covers a specialized area of the topic.
Provides a broad overview of Chinese writing, discussing its history, development, and use in different contexts. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of Chinese writing.
Provides an accessible overview of the art of Chinese calligraphy. Unlike other books on this list that focus on the characters themselves, this book provides instruction on how to actually write the characters using traditional Chinese calligraphy tools. It is useful for learners of Chinese who are interested in calligraphy.
A beginners guide to learning Chinese characters for learners who are interested in learning how to read, write, and remember the characters. is good for beginners as it focuses on pedagogical methods for learning Chinese characters.
Although geared toward beginners, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the Chinese writing system and good starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about Chinese writing. It is useful for beginners as an overview of Chinese writing, but may be too basic for advanced learners.
One of the most well-known books on Chinese characters, this book offers a philosophical and historical overview of the development of Chinese writing. It is an accessible read for beginners and offers an overview of Chinese writing in a broader context.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser