I lived in China for several years. I fell in love with Chinese characters, they are like a puzzle pieces unlocking the secret behind writing. I wrote this book as a self-taught approach to studying. This book is mostly for beginners and people interested in the etymology of the Chinese language. Besides learning the basics of the Chinese language, readers can test their knowledge of popular culture. For example, why is there a drawing of the vampire Bella Swan next to the Chinese word for red? What word is Mr. Peabody next to? Curious about Chinese culture? Want to know the meaning of the famous saying and a movie title, “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon“? Which number is auspicious in Chinese culture, the number 4 or the number 8? All these answers and more are explained in an ordinary and easy-to-understand language.

I hope that memorization of the new Chinese words will be easier because they are coupled with famous movies, images, and well-known facts. These are the inspiration for some of the drawings in this book and are presented under fair use for educational purposes.