Ready to read and write? The "Basic Chinese" series guides you on how to effectively master Chinese with all its skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, using two separate but integrated tracks. Basic Chinese is tailored to the challenges faced by learners with German as their native language - learners like you! Learn the 288 most commonly used characters as well as more than 700 compound words formed from them. Both simplified and traditional characters are discussed throughout - the learner has the freedom to choose whether to learn both writing systems or just one of them. A variety of different fonts are used - both printed and handwritten - preparing you to understand written Chinese in many different contexts.