Chinese Literacy Vol. 1
Principle 1:
Replace a character or component with a homophonic character or component with fewer strokes
A homophonic character with fewer strokes is borrowed and given a second meaning.
Character that was simplified:
後
→
后
hòu - after, behind
Example word:
後來
→
后来
hòu lái - later on
Homophonic character borrowed for the simplification:
后
hòu - queen
Example word:
王后
wáng hòu - queen
Character that was simplified:
穀
→
谷
gǔ - grain
Example word:
穀倉
→
谷仓
gǔ cāng - granary
Homophonic character borrowed for the simplification:
谷
gǔ - valley
Example word:
山谷
shān gǔ - mountain valley
Character that was simplified:
鬥
→
斗
dòu - to fight
Example word:
戰鬥
→
战斗
zhàn dòu - to combat
Homophonic character borrowed for the simplification:
斗
dǒu - 10 liters
Example word:
三斗米
sān dǒu mǐ - 30 liters of rice
Character that was simplified:
劃
→
划
huà - to draw, to plan
Example word:
計劃
→
计划
jì huà - plan
Homophonic character borrowed for the simplification:
划
huá - to row a boat
Example word:
划船
huá chuán - to row a boat
