Four-Corner Method

The four corner index (Chinese四角 号码/四角 号码, Pinyin sìjiǎo hàomǎ ) is a method to find Chinese characters in reference works, and also serves as one of the input systems for the Chinese script. There are doing the four corners of the imaginary square in which each character has to be designated by numbers. This method was invented in the 1920s by Wang Yun- Wuu, the chief editor of the Commercial Press Ltd., China.; originally as a tool for the Chinese Telegraphiewesen. In European origin model of the Morse code was sufficient to encode all the key elements of the Latin alphabet. Chinese writing, however, took a different approach to convert the large number of characters in signals. Prior to the development of the four-corner system Chinese telegrams were encrypted with a four digit numeric code that had to be encrypted with manuals and deciphered. The four-corner method was the first attempt to develop a systematic code.

This method according to a character is divided into four sectors, which are arranged in order always as follows:

• Top left
• Top right
• Bottom left
• Bottom right

Each sector is then assigned a number from 0-9, representing each dominant stroke order:

Examples in the graphs:

• 聂never ( a Chinese surname): 1044
• 回Hui ( " return " ): 6060
• 哦ò ( "oh" ): 6305
• 甘Gan ( "sweet" ): 4477

As a mnemonic for learning the 10 categories, there is a shopping poem:

In traditional characters:

横 一 垂 二 三点 捺, 叉 四 插 五 方框 六; 七 角 八 八九 是 小, 点 下 有 横 变 零头.

In abbreviations:

横 一 垂 二 三点 捺 叉 四 插 五 方框 六 七 角 八 八九 是 小 点 下 有 横 变 零头

Approximate translation for German speakers:

With a cross, with two longitudinal, with three of a stain, Four Ways an intersection, five paths to double itself, Six pages has ne crate, seven points needs a corner, By eight in two, with nine entdrei at nothing dot and dash.

• User interface
• Chinese Writing