26/09/2023 08:12 Techniques for Learning Chinese Vocabulary with Success

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Useful Techniques for Learning Chinese Vocabulary with

Success

 CHINESE LEARNING STRATEGIES, LEARN CHINESE VOCABULARY, STRATEGIES

Needless to say, Chinese vocabulary is a difficult part of Chinese learning. Many Chinese
learners dread learning Chinese vocabulary because they feel it only involves
memorizations. Luckily, the truth is far from the case. There are a variety of techniques or
tools we can use to help absorb, not just memorise, new Chinese words. Below you will
find three techniques for learning Chinese vocabulary.

TECHNIQUE 1 – CREATING ASSOCIATION

1.Creating Word Association
Associating Chinese words with words that you are familiar with or you already know is a
great way to memorise them. If a new Chinese word resembles a word in your native
language, creating the link between them helps better memorising the new Chinese word.

There are many ways we can establish associations between words: categories, topics,
synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and so on. Even words sharing one character have
some relationship. Let’s take 信 （xìn letter) for example, writing a letter, post a letter,
receive a letter, read a letter and send a letter are all relevant. Keeping this in mind, it is
easy to learn the words below:

写信 xiě xìn to write a letter

寄信 jì xìn to post a letter
收信 shōu xìn to receive a letter
读信 dú xìn to read a letter
发信 fā xìn to send a letter

2. Be Creative
In a large tulip field, we can spot and remember the black tulip rather than the rest of
colorful ones. Why? Black tulips are rare! It is often easier to remember unusual things,

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isn’t it? In Chinese vocabulary learning, absurd, vivid association are helpful to retain the
new words in memory.

For example, 葡萄牙 （pútáoyá）means Portugal in Chinese. 葡萄 means “grapes” and 牙

means “teeth” in Chinese. 葡萄牙 literally means Grape Teeth. Just imagine Portugese
have teeth made of grapes… haha, will you forget how to say Portugal in Chinese? No, for
sure.

TECHNIQUE 2 – MAKING AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING

ENVIRONMENT
It is not always easy to have a Chinese learning environment by default. But we can
certainly make one.

1.Integrate Chinese words into your environment

An easy way to increase the frequency of encountering Chinese words is to write the
words on sticky notes and hang them around in the places you live. Label the items such
as mirror, water tap in the bathroom, desk and wall in the bedroom, or computer and
keyboard in the office… the list can go on and on. By attaching the sticky notes to the
objects the words refer to helps strengthen the association between the word and the
object.

It is also a good idea to include some blank sticky notes at handy places in your house
so that you can write new words or the words you struggle to remember and hang them
around the places you often spend time such as your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and so
on. You will find yourself frequently see them as you go in and out during your day.

2. Turn Chinese Vocabulary Learning into Games

The more fun you can make out of your vocabulary learning time, the more likely you are
going to do it and to learn from it. Some simple yet fun games include Bingo, Memory,
Mix and Match, role play （https://chinese4kids.net/role-plays-for-children-to-learn-
chinese/）and much more.

3. Make a Visual Chinese Vocabulary Learning Journal

Create a vocabulary journal or notebook and write new Chinese words and their
meanings along your learning. Write as often as needed in order to set the words in your
memory.

Draw images to depict the meaning of the vocabulary together with their meanings.
Images will enhance your understanding of the vocabulary. You can also create visual
storyboard if you would like to express artistically.

TECHNIQUE 3 – PRACTICE
Chinese vocabulary learning requires persistent practice. Here are some tips that will
help you get results.

1.Find a Partner to Practice With

It is not so much fun to practice alone. And it is easy to skip practice when it is done only
by yourself. A good way is to find a learning buddy. With a partner, it is easy to stick with
plans and hold each other accountable.

2. Practice with Flash Cards

No need to emphasize the importance of flash cards in Chinese vocabulary learning.
Flash cards remain a simple but powerful tool for vocabulary practice. There are many
types of flash cards, you can decide which to use depending on your purposes. You can
use ready made flash cards or make them by yourselves. You can also use Quizlet to

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make digital ones. It does not matter what format you are going to use, just use the one
you are most familiar with.

3. Expose to Chinese Language As Much As Possible

It is not always easy to have an immersion chance, try to use ways to help your kids to
expose to Chinese.

If the kids go to a Chinese school, try to arrange after-school play dates so to create
opportunities for them to practice the language.

Choose books at the right level and read as much as possible.

Watch Chinese movies or movies adapted in Chinese. There are so many fantastic
Chinese cartoons that kids love to watch.

Learn Chinese children’s songs.

Children’s songs are easy and fun to learn.

Travel to China .

If it is possible, take the kids and travel to China. Travel enriches the whole learning
experience because the kids are not only exposed to the language but also its culture
and people.

4. Self Assessment
Learning without assessment is a bit vague. Regular tests are great to have since they
show how much a child has learned, what knowledge is missing and if the learning has
been too easy or too difficult. It helps to have a realistic understanding of the learning
status. With this understanding, we can adjust the speed, content and ways of learning.

Do you have more techniques that have helped your Chinese learning? Share with us!

If you like this article, PIN IT!

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