These are the characters in this series. You can review them and quiz yourself at the bottom. To see them put together in an illustrated story, go to Lessons: Extension.
况
kuàng
situation
冫 + 兄
ice + teenager
Because of a difficult situation with our teenager, we are going to put him on ice for 5 years (like Han Solo).
脱
tuō
undress
月 + 兑
body part + devil
Undress, reveal body parts, bring out the devil…
Reactive Mom: You should know that undressing and revealing body parts brings out the devil.
克
kè
overcome [v.]
十 + 兄
ten/needle/cross + teenager
My teenager has to take a chocolate break at 10 to overcome drowsiness. 巧克力qiǎokèlì chocolate
The needle has overcome the teenager (shooting up with chocolate). 巧克力qiǎokèlì chocolate
The teenager has been overcome by Christ.
锐
ruì
sharp
钅 + 兑duì
metal + devil
The devil has a sharp metal barb on his tail, and it will get you.
祝
zhù
wish well
礻 + 兄
Eastern altar + teenager
Dear Ancestors, I am a desperate teenager. Please wish me well on my exams.
Stressed Mom: Most of the offerings I make at the altar are in hopes that the ancestors wish my teenager well.
竞
jìng
compete
立 + 兄
stand up + teenager
Teenagers often try to stand out through competition. Think of one you know.
悦
yuè
delighted
忄 + 兑
meme + devil
Picture a meme of the devil laughing in delight.
Reactive Mom: You should know that when you make memes like that, the devil is delighted.
税
shuì
tax
禾 + 兑duì
grain + devil
Sometimes having a portion of your grain harvest go to taxes feels like paying the devil.
党
dǎng
political party
6shàng + 儿 / 龸shàng + 兄
outhouse + human legs / playhouse + teenager
That political party is on the “outs”: outhouse with human legs sticking out of the window.
My teenager is participating in a mock debate where he is “playing” as a member of a political party.
阅
yuè
peruse
门 + 兑
gate + devil
Some think that perusing porn is opening the gate to the devil.
蜕
tuì
molt
虫 + 兑duì
insect + convert/devil
When an insectmolts, it often converts into a new form.
Surely any day now this teenage devil will molt into an adult human.
兄
xiōng
elder brother, *teenager
口 + 儿
mouth + human legs
A teenager is a mouth with human legs.
Picture your elder brother as a teenager with a big mouth and long legs.
兑
duì
convert [v.], *devil
丷 + 兄
horns + teenager
When children become teenagers, it seems they are converted into devils and grow horns.