You might be wondering whether you should just focus on learning spoken Chinese and not bother memorizing all those complicated characters. If that’s really what you want to do, then go for it! But, just know that you’ll be missing out on many benefits that come from learning to read and write characters. So, I advise that you at least first stop and consider what these benefits are.
While it may seem daunting at first, learning to write and read Chinese characters can significantly boost your language learning and even impact your life in other ways. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider learning more than just spoken Chinese.
Improved language learning
Firstly, reading Chinese amplifies your learning of Chinese because it is the best way to learn new vocabulary. You are able to see new words being used in context, and as you see them being used later in the text or in other texts, you will need to actively recall the meaning. Without ever learning to read Chinese characters, you will miss out on this incredible technique of leveling up your Chinese.
Secondly, learning to write Chinese improves your ability to recognize the sometimes very slight differences between characters. Here are a few examples: 哀，衰 ，衷 and 戊、戍、戌、戎. Learning to write characters makes you more aware of the slight stroke differences between similar characters, which improves your reading speed and comprehension.
Gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture
Chinese characters are not just a writing system – they are an essential part of Chinese culture and history. By learning to write and read characters, you will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture. You will also be able to appreciate Chinese art, calligraphy, poetry, and literature on a whole new level. It can help you to understand the subtleties and nuances of the language, which are often lost in translation.
Boost your cognitive abilities
Learning to write and read Chinese characters requires a great deal of focus, concentration, and memory. Your memory is being actively trained as you work to remember the shape and stroke order of each character. For this reason, practicing to write and read characters has been proven to improve memory and recall skills.
Develop a new hobby
Learning to write and read Chinese characters can also be a fun and rewarding hobby and a source of personal satisfaction and accomplishment. It’s a challenging skill to master, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel a sense of pride and achievement that comes with being able to read and write Chinese. If you’ve ever performed monotonous tasks in a video game for the joy of leveling up, you know what I’m talking about. If, like me, you’re a bookworm, I know you’d also be excited about the prospect of being able to read Chinese books and articles that capture your interest. Finally, if you’re more artistic, you can also explore Chinese calligraphy and art, which can be a great way to relax and unwind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning to write and read Chinese characters can have numerous benefits. Even if you are just learning Chinese for fun, it is worth the effort to learn to at least write and read some of the characters you’re learning. While it may seem challenging at first, with practice, you can master more characters than you might imagine and gain a whole new appreciation for Chinese language and culture. So why not give it a try and see where this journey takes you? If you’re eager to learn more, check out this guide to writing Chinese characters.