The Beginner's Chinese Dictionary is an ideal dictionary for students of the Chinese language.

It is specifically designed for learners of Chinese and covers 2,500 essential vocabulary items, including all vocabulary prescribed for Levels 1-5 of the standard test of proficiency in Chinese, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK).

Entries are arranged alphabetically according to the pinyin transliteration. For each character, the radical and stroke count are given. An analysis of word formation is also provided to aid understanding of how words of two or more syllables are formed. Sample sentences are presented in Chinese characters with pinyin and English equivalents, to show how each headword should be used. A radical and character index allows quick access to any headword.

Key features of this Chinese character dictionary:
Over 2,500 basic vocabulary items
English–Chinese and Chinese–English sections.
Entries arranged alphabetically by pinyin transliteration.
Includes all words for HSK Levels 1-5.
Sample sentences demonstrate how to use words correctly.
Characters and pinyin for all headwords and examples.
Introduces and explains radicals, stroke counts, and components.
Key character components are given for easy recognition.
Useful notes on culture, grammar and usage provided.

Li Dong was a full professor of English at the Shanghai International Studies University when he left China in 1988. Before that he had spent two years with the Oxford University Press Lexical Research Unit for advanced studies in lexicology and lexicography. Professor Li has had 45 years experiences in teaching English and Chinese at university levels in China, the UK, the USA and New Zealand. He has published book-length dissertation and journal articles on lexicology and lexicography. His specialist field is pedagogical lexicography (or, in plain English, the making of dictionaries specially for the teaching and learning of a foreign language). That is why he is the proud author of the highly successful Tuttle Chinese dictionaries including --