AP Chinese

AP Chinese provides students with the opportunity to develop proficiency in Mandarin Chinese while exploring Chinese culture and society.

Basic Concepts

Essential Vocabulary and Characters

Building Your Vocabulary

Learning Chinese characters is fundamental! Start with high-frequency words and characters used in daily life, school, and simple conversations.

Common Categories

  • Greetings (你好 nǐ hǎo, 再见 zài jiàn)
  • Numbers (一 yī, 二 èr, 三 sān)
  • Family (妈妈 mā ma, 爸爸 bà ba)
  • Food (米饭 mǐ fàn, 水 shuǐ)

Character Structure

Chinese characters are made up of strokes and radicals. Radicals often hint at meaning or pronunciation.

Tips for Memorization

Break characters into smaller parts, use flashcards, and practice writing by hand for better retention.

Real-World Application

Mastering basic vocabulary allows you to navigate daily life, read signs, and send messages in Chinese.

Examples

  • Recognizing the character '水' lets you ask for water at a restaurant.

  • Knowing '谢谢' helps you thank someone politely.

In a Nutshell

Essential vocabulary and characters are the building blocks for understanding and using Mandarin.

Key Terms

Radical
A component of a Chinese character that often gives a clue to the meaning.
Stroke
A single movement in writing a Chinese character.