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Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - aqublue - 2011-06-24

My plan is to learn Chinese first and then Japanese. I've been advised to start learning Kanji first as it is easier to learn Simplified Hanzi afterwards, correct? My problem is what will I do when I start on RTSH.

My question has to do with coming across multiple meanings/keywords for the same exact character in both sets. There are many differences in keywords and some meanings vary a great deal. Is it best to come up with two stories for each character that has a different meaning in RTK versus RSH? Or should these new meanings be memorized by rote?

Thanks
Aqua

Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - aqublue - 2011-06-24

Sorry, forgot to add that would it be best to put the two keywords (RTK/RSH) together when reviewing identical characters, but basing a single story of one or the other? Or should the story be modified to include both meanings? Sorry, this is getting confusing. Maybe i'll just forget about it and memorize the differences. What is the best way for those who have tried?

Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - zer0range - 2011-06-24

What you're going to realize after you've finished RTK/RTH and get a few months in to actually studying Chinese, is that the keywords for these characters is about as important a choice as what socks you wear for a long hike.

Yeah, it's nice to have those socks that whisk away moisture and feel as soft as a baby's bottom, but the more important task at hand is to make sure that you have a map, water, solid boots, an attractive companion, etc...

I can't speak for Japanese (although I suspect the argument is the same), but for Chinese, the keywords are only going to cover one concept associated with the character, and most characters are much more versatile than this. So, no matter what meaning you choose for, as an example, 为 or 色 or 达, in a way, you're wrong. The important thing is that these characters become intellectually and emotionally meaningful to you, so that using them and remembering them (and not confusing them with 'similar' characters, like 办，巴 or 荙) is trivial.

Good luck and have fun!玩得开心,祝你好运!

Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - aphasiac - 2011-06-24

aqublue Wrote:Sorry, forgot to add that would it be best to put the two keywords (RTK/RSH) together when reviewing identical characters, but basing a single story of one or the other? Or should the story be modified to include both meanings? Sorry, this is getting confusing. Maybe i'll just forget about it and memorize the differences. What is the best way for those who have tried?
Going through the stories on the RtH site, yep some people have tried learning 2 keywords per story.

In general though, as zer0range pointed out, it doesn't matter. Just choose 1 keyword, and then learn the kanji, then forget about it,

Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - nadiatims - 2011-06-24

If I were you, I'd learn the traditional hanzi while taking note of the simplified forms, that way you pretty much get Kanji for free. Kanji of course have their own simplifications but they are not as significant as the mainland china simplifications. Otherwise you could just do RTSH first, and learn the more complex forms later.

I'm finding now with Mandarin (after having already studied Japanese), I don't even have to study Hanzi. I already know most of the radicals, and understand how kanji work, so I can remember them easily enough just by learning and writing (writing is important) vocabulary. So you don't need to learn multiple sets of keywords. Just learn a good mass of kanji or hanzi once, and get it out of the way quickly. You can then pick up the differences as you learn vocabulary.

Learning RSH after RTK: What to do with multiple keywords? - KanjiDevourer - 2011-06-25

Agreeing with previous comments, I'd just study a batch of THanzi (or Kanji) and then learn the simplified forms afterwards. The keywords are unimportant anyway. This post might help; there's some great sites that comprehensively list the simplifications. The Japanese simplifications can also be found there.