me too
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Adjudicator
Member
9:30 pm, Jan 26 2009
Posts: 54
Peppermint
Member
4:43 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 85
Quote from nottheaverageidiot
Apparently, Swedish isn't supposed to be THAT difficult for foreigners to learn... I really can't say since I was born in Sweden and sort of learned the language without any effort on my part 
English and Mandarin are supposed to be the two most difficult languages to learn... Personally, I'd love to be able to speak Hindi (so I can watch Bollywood movies without confusing subtitles!)...
Any swedish words you'd like to learn, Sanae?
Here's a wonderful and incredibly useful phrase:
Ursäkta, jag förstår inte. (Excuse me, I don't understand.)
Whenever I make an attempt at learning a new language, these are always the first words I memorize
But yeah, languages are amazing. They always seem to reflect the mentality of the people speaking it, so it's like peeking into people's brains...
English and Mandarin are supposed to be the two most difficult languages to learn... Personally, I'd love to be able to speak Hindi (so I can watch Bollywood movies without confusing subtitles!)... Any swedish words you'd like to learn, Sanae?
Here's a wonderful and incredibly useful phrase:
Ursäkta, jag förstår inte. (Excuse me, I don't understand.)
Whenever I make an attempt at learning a new language, these are always the first words I memorize
But yeah, languages are amazing. They always seem to reflect the mentality of the people speaking it, so it's like peeking into people's brains...
Oh, thank you very much! I'll buy a notebook so that I can write every Swedish tips and words I get. :3
What confuses me the most is the thing (I really don't know how is it called, sorry!) about "en" and "et"... In English it's really simple: you put "a" before consonants (like "a song") and "an" before vowels (as in "an apple"). How would I use "en" and "et", so? The only thing I understood is the difference between putting it before the word (en sång, meaning "a song") and after it (sången, meaning "the song"). Am I right?
A friend of my sister is Chinese, so it was very interesting her explanation about some Mandarin words. Like the Tree word (not exactly a word... Like Japanese kanji, but I forgot the name the Mandarin ones are given), that when you put a part of the word off became something like Wood.
PS: Yeah, you really got a point. What is the most interesting stuff, imo, is those words that can't be translated at all. My language, Portuguese, has one of those: "saudade". It is really interesting as "saudade" would mean something like "missing someone", but in a more specific way... And then, Portugal people had a lot of "saudades" due to those who traveled to the new continent and never came back.
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April March = Love ♥♥♥
Member
6:12 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 4
6:12 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 4
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
Site Admin6:17 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 6221
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Adjudicator
Member
6:32 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 54
It is true that if you learn the radicals, you can simplify learning Chinese. But Chinese has over 200 radicals while English has only over 20 letters. Practicing the radicals helps a lot in learning a language, but for many newer words the radicals are not enough. This is probably because some words are translated phonetically into Chinese and thus they have no relation to the radicals meaning.
No offense to your explanation.
________________
True victory does not come in defeating the enemy in battle, but in winning the war before the need of one.
Sun Tzu
No offense to your explanation.
________________
True victory does not come in defeating the enemy in battle, but in winning the war before the need of one.
Sun Tzu
Peppermint
Member
7:30 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 85
Quote from blakraven66
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Unh, I felt that Hiragana was the easier for me to learn. They are much more cute, as well. Katakana is so sharp! Kanji confuses me
________________
April March = Love ♥♥♥
The Alpha Male.
Member
8:13 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 319
Quote from Sanae
Quote from blakraven66
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Unh, I felt that Hiragana was the easier for me to learn. They are much more cute, as well. Katakana is so sharp! Kanji confuses me
Kanji is harder than hiragana and katakana but it's just that it takes a bit more time. Copying it over and over while remembering the pronunciation in your head is the way I study. Also knowing the correct stroke order is helpful too.
________________
Trip Fall Die
GAH! My plot doesn't bend that way!
Peppermint
Member
8:34 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 85
Quote from roadblock4
Quote from Sanae
Quote from blakraven66
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Unh, I felt that Hiragana was the easier for me to learn. They are much more cute, as well. Katakana is so sharp! Kanji confuses me
Kanji is harder than hiragana and katakana but it's just that it takes a bit more time. Copying it over and over while remembering the pronunciation in your head is the way I study. Also knowing the correct stroke order is helpful too.
Unh, why do people care so much about the stroke order? Sometimes I and my classmates do the stroke order different a bit, but the result is the same. I really don't get it
The thing that really gets me is that kanji are SO complex. So much strokes, so little space. And, then, hiragana and katakana are very different from font to font, but some kanji are totally misleading according to the font style and size.
________________
April March = Love ♥♥♥
Site Admin8:41 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 6221
Quote from Sanae
Quote from roadblock4
Quote from Sanae
Quote from blakraven66
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Unh, I felt that Hiragana was the easier for me to learn. They are much more cute, as well. Katakana is so sharp! Kanji confuses me
Kanji is harder than hiragana and katakana but it's just that it takes a bit more time. Copying it over and over while remembering the pronunciation in your head is the way I study. Also knowing the correct stroke order is helpful too.
Unh, why do people care so much about the stroke order? Sometimes I and my classmates do the stroke order different a bit, but the result is the same. I really don't get it
The thing that really gets me is that kanji are SO complex. So much strokes, so little space. And, then, hiragana and katakana are very different from font to font, but some kanji are totally misleading according to the font style and size.
Hmmm, I never really notice stroke order so I guess I'm just used to it. Maybe that's why I prefer Chinese or Kanji over Hiragana. Either that, or I just hate the curves involved in them
Explosive Potato
Member
9:01 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 16
Member
9:01 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 16
i'm been taking french for 3 years/this is currently my best second language
im still tring to memorize the korean alphabet (damn those diliphitongs)><...i can write a little...
i can understand and say a frew german phases
and i'm putting off japanese cause i don't know which alphabet is easier XD.
i think, for me language proficiency is based on the amount of time that i have/if there is anyone around to speak with
im still tring to memorize the korean alphabet (damn those diliphitongs)><...i can write a little...
i can understand and say a frew german phases
and i'm putting off japanese cause i don't know which alphabet is easier XD.
i think, for me language proficiency is based on the amount of time that i have/if there is anyone around to speak with
The Alpha Male.
Member
9:40 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 319
Quote from Sanae
Quote from roadblock4
Quote from Sanae
Quote from blakraven66
Quote from 843
The Chinese writing system is not actually very hard with practice. If you start writing them over and over, they become pretty automatic. You'll become accustomed to each stroke and what radicals make up what. Take a look at the left or top portions of the characters on the following examples:
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
'椅' for objects originally made of wood
'猫' for animals
'草' for plants
'打' for action words with hands
'踢' for action words with legs
and so on...
For me, writing them is pretty simple and easy compared to something like Japanese Hiragana since they're just strokes. Though understanding them is the problem along with the tone since different tones of the same word means different things.
Unh, I felt that Hiragana was the easier for me to learn. They are much more cute, as well. Katakana is so sharp! Kanji confuses me
Kanji is harder than hiragana and katakana but it's just that it takes a bit more time. Copying it over and over while remembering the pronunciation in your head is the way I study. Also knowing the correct stroke order is helpful too.
Unh, why do people care so much about the stroke order? Sometimes I and my classmates do the stroke order different a bit, but the result is the same. I really don't get it
The thing that really gets me is that kanji are SO complex. So much strokes, so little space. And, then, hiragana and katakana are very different from font to font, but some kanji are totally misleading according to the font style and size.
It helps me in remembering how to write the character. If I remember that I have to make some kind of line in some kind of direction, it helps me out if I'm stuck. Eventually, I won't need to think about it and I would just do it. Maybe I just learn stuff in a weird way.
________________
Trip Fall Die
GAH! My plot doesn't bend that way!
Peppermint
Member
10:06 am, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 85
Quote from roadblock4
It helps me in remembering how to write the character. If I remember that I have to make some kind of line in some kind of direction, it helps me out if I'm stuck. Eventually, I won't need to think about it and I would just do it. Maybe I just learn stuff in a weird way.
Oh, in no way it's weird! It seems like everyone have a different way of learning. I learn by making associations with stuff I'm interested with (sometimes I remember the differences between similar Hiragana by associations with animal, for example).
________________
April March = Love ♥♥♥
Member
2:42 pm, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 216
Quote from Sanae
Unh, why do people care so much about the stroke order? Sometimes I and my classmates do the stroke order different a bit, but the result is the same. I really don't get it
The thing that really gets me is that kanji are SO complex. So much strokes, so little space. And, then, hiragana and katakana are very different from font to font, but some kanji are totally misleading according to the font style and size.
The thing that really gets me is that kanji are SO complex. So much strokes, so little space. And, then, hiragana and katakana are very different from font to font, but some kanji are totally misleading according to the font style and size.
Stroke order is just the "correct" way of writing the characters, such as when writing a horizontal line, you always start from left to right. Plus, it help you learn how many strokes a character contains, which is helpful when using a chinese-english dictionary.
Quote from blakraven66
How do you guys write Chinese characters on the computer anyway?
To type in Chinese (or Japanese and Korean), you need to download a IME (Input Method Editor). If you use Windows XP, Microsoft offers one to download for free on their site. I also use it. There is this thing at the bottom of my screen where I can easily choose to type in English or Chinese.
Member
4:17 pm, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 37
4:17 pm, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 37
Ah, Sanae, you managed to find THE most vexing thing about the Swedish language. Good work! ;D
So, about "en" and "ett" (in english: a, an)... Well, basically there are no rules, which is why people who have lived in Sweden for over 20 years still can't get it quite right (our Queen!). Unlike the English language, it doesn't matter if the following word starts with a vowel or not. The basic rule is that feminine words use "en"--"a woman" would be "en kvinna"--and that male words use "ett". THIS RULE IS STUPID AND DOES NOT WORK, since Swedish words no longer distinguish between female and male words. There is probably a fancier English term (genus, perhaps... No?) which I don't remember, but if you've studied German you should be able to recognize this. In other words: This is something you have to learn by heart... Yuck. Sorry...
Well, this is kinda fun, so if there's anything else I'll be happy to help you...
mod edit: no double posting please.
Oh, yeah, I forgot. You were correct about also putting "en" and "ett" (although it's spelled with one "t" if it's used like this") at the end of words. For example:
a table - ett bord
the table - bordet
a chair - en stol
the chair - stolen
Last edited by Rainy Days at 5:34 pm, Jan 27 2009
So, about "en" and "ett" (in english: a, an)... Well, basically there are no rules, which is why people who have lived in Sweden for over 20 years still can't get it quite right (our Queen!). Unlike the English language, it doesn't matter if the following word starts with a vowel or not. The basic rule is that feminine words use "en"--"a woman" would be "en kvinna"--and that male words use "ett". THIS RULE IS STUPID AND DOES NOT WORK, since Swedish words no longer distinguish between female and male words. There is probably a fancier English term (genus, perhaps... No?) which I don't remember, but if you've studied German you should be able to recognize this. In other words: This is something you have to learn by heart... Yuck. Sorry...
Well, this is kinda fun, so if there's anything else I'll be happy to help you...
mod edit: no double posting please.
Oh, yeah, I forgot. You were correct about also putting "en" and "ett" (although it's spelled with one "t" if it's used like this") at the end of words. For example:
a table - ett bord
the table - bordet
a chair - en stol
the chair - stolen
Last edited by Rainy Days at 5:34 pm, Jan 27 2009
Peppermint
Member
4:29 pm, Jan 27 2009
Posts: 85
Quote from nottheaverageidiot
Ah, Sanae, you managed to find THE most vexing thing about the Swedish language. Good work! ;D
So, about "en" and "ett" (in english: a, an)... Well, basically there are no rules, which is why people who have lived in Sweden for over 20 years still can't get it quite right (our Queen!). Unlike the English language, it doesn't matter if the following word starts with a vowel or not. The basic rule is that feminine words use "en"--"a woman" would be "en kvinna"--and that male words use "ett". THIS RULE IS STUPID AND DOES NOT WORK, since Swedish words no longer distinguish between female and male words. There is probably a fancier English term (genus, perhaps... No?) which I don't remember, but if you've studied German you should be able to recognize this. In other words: This is something you have to learn by heart... Yuck. Sorry...
Well, this is kinda fun, so if there's anything else I'll be happy to help you...
So, about "en" and "ett" (in english: a, an)... Well, basically there are no rules, which is why people who have lived in Sweden for over 20 years still can't get it quite right (our Queen!). Unlike the English language, it doesn't matter if the following word starts with a vowel or not. The basic rule is that feminine words use "en"--"a woman" would be "en kvinna"--and that male words use "ett". THIS RULE IS STUPID AND DOES NOT WORK, since Swedish words no longer distinguish between female and male words. There is probably a fancier English term (genus, perhaps... No?) which I don't remember, but if you've studied German you should be able to recognize this. In other words: This is something you have to learn by heart... Yuck. Sorry...
Well, this is kinda fun, so if there's anything else I'll be happy to help you...
Oh, thank you very much! Nowadays I have no more doubts, but I sincerely thank you a lot for helping me. Swedish is totally not popular in my country (in opposition to English, Italian and French, which are very popular), so I'll try as hard as I can!
Unh, an stepaunt of mine speaks German, I'll seek for her advice as soon as I get to talk to her.
Quote from _silent_
Stroke order is just the "correct" way of writing the characters, such as when writing a horizontal line, you always start from left to right. Plus, it help you learn how many strokes a character contains, which is helpful when using a chinese-english dictionary.
Oh, but I'm a totally senseless person. Surely, I'm lost in almost every possible way. I'd NEVER knew you should draw a line from left to right. Thank you! I find Japanese dictionaries very difficult on search, so I'll try looking harder for stroke order so that it becomes simpler for writing and searching!
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April March = Love ♥♥♥
