<p>this one talked about the early chinese characters from ancient inscription, in english:</p>

<p><a href="https://archive.org/details/earlychinesewrit01chal/page/n3/mode/2up" rel="nofollow noreferrer">early chinese writing, by frank herring chalfont</a></p>

<p>though it was printed in 1906, imo, the info is precise &amp; correct; most important, it’s a <strong>free</strong> download, provided you’re not in “you-know-where” </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/UXsVr.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/UXsVr.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T13:06:47.173Z
Spotted one mistake :) 虫 = 虺, not 蟲
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T13:10:37.433Z
omg  well, may i say this one is good enough for foreign-beginner? 
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T14:50:41.293Z
@dROOOze What books would you recommend? It would be great if you were willing to write a reply. :)
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-26T06:39:35.247Z
Seems like a good book even for Chinese people.
trisct
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T12:56:54.813Z
2020-04-25T12:56:54.813Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>"The Chinese language, Its History and Current Usage" by Daniel Kane.</p>

<p>Published by Tuttle Publishing. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T03:05:49.713Z
Would it be possible to explain why you're recommending this book please?
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T03:09:28.733Z
Because I've read it some time ago and it has helped me to have a better understanding of the language, its history and current usage, even though I already have a good working knowledge of the language.
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T03:05:11.350Z
2020-04-25T03:05:11.350Z
Wayne Cheah
<p>My mind is so literal that I think it would help me to understand  and memorize the characters and their meaning. I recently found on this site an explanation for the difference between sun and speech. It included pictograms and explanations.  With all that detail I will never forget it.</p>

<p>I am perhaps intermediate level.  I studied intensely in college for two semesters before heading to Beijing where I lived for a year. That was in the late 90's.  Unfortunately I haven't had the time to use it or study it since.  Now that I am quarantined I can go back to this language that I love to learn. </p>

<p>I just want some help learning. Some tools to help me remember. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T03:05:37.357Z
Are you able to clarify your level?  When students first start learning Chinese, teachers often tell them 人 = person, 山 = mountain, etc., and students interpret this as meaning characters often resemble their meaning.  The student quickly discovers this is not true in general, and instead [phonetic components](https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/) [which merely indicate how the character is pronounced] are more important.
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-25T03:08:43.033Z
https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Writing-Early-Special-Monograph/dp/1557290717
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-26T04:13:51.990Z
I studied for two semesters in college in 1996.  In 1997 I lived in Beijing for a year and continued my studies.  I am currently in refresh mode after a long time of inactivity.  So I would put myself at an early intermediate level.  My oral is much better than my written.
Christopher Altman
<meaning>
Can someone recommend a good book that can explain chinese characters and how they came to have their meaning
# Can someone recommend a good book that can explain chinese characters and how they came to have their meaning

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-25)

My mind is so literal that I think it would help me to understand and memorize the characters and their meaning. I recently found on this site an explanation for the difference between sun and speech. It included pictograms and explanations. With all that detail I will never forget it.

I am perhaps intermediate level. I studied intensely in college for two semesters before heading to Beijing where I lived for a year. That was in the late 90's. Unfortunately I haven't had the time to use it or study it since. Now that I am quarantined I can go back to this language that I love to learn.

I just want some help learning. Some tools to help me remember.

**Tags:** meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Are you able to clarify your level?  When students first start learning Chinese, teachers often tell them 人 = person, 山 = mountain, etc., and students interpret this as meaning characters often resemble their meaning.  The student quickly discovers this is not true in general, and instead [phonetic components](https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/) [which merely indicate how the character is pronounced] are more important.  
> **username_2**: https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Writing-Early-Special-Monograph/dp/1557290717  
> **username_0**: I studied for two semesters in college in 1996.  In 1997 I lived in Beijing for a year and continued my studies.  I am currently in refresh mode after a long time of inactivity.  So I would put myself at an early intermediate level.  My oral is much better than my written.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-04-25. Score: 3

this one talked about the early chinese characters from ancient inscription, in english:

[early chinese writing, by frank herring chalfont](https://archive.org/details/earlychinesewrit01chal/page/n3/mode/2up)

though it was printed in 1906, imo, the info is precise & correct; most important, it’s a **free** download, provided you’re not in “you-know-where”

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/UXsVr.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/UXsVr.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Spotted one mistake :) 虫 = 虺, not 蟲  
> **username_3**: omg  well, may i say this one is good enough for foreign-beginner?   
> **username_4**: @username_2 What books would you recommend? It would be great if you were willing to write a reply. :)  
> **username_5**: Seems like a good book even for Chinese people.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-04-25. Score: 0

"The Chinese language, Its History and Current Usage" by Daniel Kane.

Published by Tuttle Publishing.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Would it be possible to explain why you're recommending this book please?  
> **username_6**: Because I've read it some time ago and it has helped me to have a better understanding of the language, its history and current usage, even though I already have a good working knowledge of the language.  

---

