Learning the Zhuyin Fuhao Keyboard

Chinese Ability: Beginner
Computer Ability: Intermediate

Anyone who has learned Chinese in Taiwan long enough knows what Zhuyin Fuhao (注音符號) is. They are those small letters printed next to the Chinese characters in children's books. You may have also seen your Taiwanese friends using them to input Chinese characters into their computers.

Learning to type using the Zhuyin Fuhao input method isn't any more difficult than learning to type in English, all you need is the right motivation and a little practice. It also helps if you have bought a keyboard in Taiwan that already has the symbols for Zhuyin on it.

If you don't have Zhuyin Fuhao on your keyboard, you can buy stickers and apply them yourself. Stickers can be found at some 10 NT dollar stores in Taiwan as well as 3C, Nova, and Guang Hua Shang Chang. Stickers can be bought for about 65 NT dollars.

I learned how to improve my zhuyin typing skills using the Flash games at http://www.kiec.kh.edu.tw/typing/index.asp. It has flash games for teaching both the English keyboard and the Zhuyin keyboard.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the pink numbers. Games numbered 22, 23, 24, and 25 are going to teach you, row by row, how to type in Zhuyin. Game 22 teaches the A row, 23 teaches the Z row, 24 teaches the Q row, and 25 teaches the 1 row. Game 28 is a great way to review the entire keyboard at one time.

To play the games make sure your Chinese keyboard is not selected, you need to be in English input mode. Click the link for the game you want to play. The game's starting screen will display a big red KaiShi (開始) button. Don't be a afraid to click that button to start.

Once the game starts, at the top of the page, there will be a red circle with a zhuyin character inside and at the bottom there will be a picture of a keyboard. The keyboard at the bottom will show you where that character is located. As soon as you see the zhuyin in the circle press the key on your keyboard. The game is timed. The more keys you can press within the time limit; the higher your score will be. (Tip: As you get better try not to look at the on screen keyboard for help. )

If your computer does not have Asian language support you may have difficulty getting to the flash games. Here are direct links to each of the games.

Game 22, Learning the A row
Game 23, Learning the Z row
Game 24, Learning the Q row
Game 25, Learning the 1 row
Game 28, Full Keyboard review