3 ms·
> There are lots of characters that represent the same syllable, And also (less common, but existant) characters that represent different syllables in differen
by brazzy 7y ago
> There are lots of characters that represent the same syllable,
And also (less common, but existant) characters that represent different syllables in different contexts. A prominent example would be 觉, pronounced jué in 觉得 but jiào in 睡觉
Hanzi are logographs, not a syllabary.
> and complicated rules about which to use for writing common words
Maybe if you have some need to believe in the bizarre fiction that Chinese characters only provide phonetic information. In the real world, the characters have meaning and history, which simply dictates what characters to use for which word.
- thaumasiotes 7y ago> Hanzi are logographs, not a syllabary. This is like saying English is written with logographs, not an alphabet. Kanji are logographs and not a syllabary. Hanzi are closer to being a syllabary than they are to being logographs. The sound is the primary concept. Obviously, the characters do convey considerably more than just phonetic information. But phonetic information is the first and most important thing they carry.
- ncmncm 7y agoIt is quite remarkable how people continue to believe what their elementary teacher told them, even after years and years' experience to the contrary. In English, people believe that "Elements of Style" is full of good advice despite everything good they have ever read violating every rule on every page.