Cangjie Code Decomposition Rules

Since a cangjie code has a maximum of five elements there are some rules for cangjie codes.

The first part of a character is represented by one or two code elements.

The second part of a character can be represented by a maximum of three code elements.

In this character, 鹼 the first part of the character is represented with the codes “yw” or 卜田. The second part is represented by “omo” or 人一人.

鹼 ywomo or 卜田人一人

If a character has more than two parts, then the middle part may have only two elements and the final part 1.

If the final part of a character is only represented by one element, then that element reprsents the bottom left part of the final part of the character.

Rather than giving examples here, you can get a feel for the codes by using the reference pages.

Looking up a Character

To look for a character so that you can find it’s typing code all you need to be able to figure out is the first part of a characters cangjie code.

Then go to the relevant page. Or you can go through page by page and practice typing characters to get a feel for touch typing Chinese Characters.

When character groupings are really large, then I’ve also sorted the characters by second elements.

Cangjie Input Setup for Mac Users

To practice typing Chinese characters using cangjie input codes you need your computer set up for it.

If you have a Mac computer, setting up your computer for cangjie input is relatively easy.

• Go to System Preferences,
• Click on the “

Language and Text”

icon. * Then select the “Input Sources” tab. * Select Keyboard & Character Viewer * Select “

Chinese-Traditional” and then the sub-entry “Cangjie”. * Also select the “Show Input Menu in Menu Bar” option near the bottom of the dialog box. You can then exit System Preferences.

To select Cangjie, click on the flag at the top right of your menu bar, to the left of the clock.

You should see “Cangjie” as one of the items. You can click on that item. You will then be able to type using Cangjie code.

Note, make sure caps lock is off. (Otherwise you get normal letters.)

When typing chinese characters using their cangjie codes, enter the full code and then press either enter or the space bar. (This may be dependent on which operating system version you are using.)

To switch back to normal typing (i.e. english characters) you can click on the flag and select the appropriate input mode. (U.S. or perhaps UK or Canada…)

You can also use “command-spacebar” to switch between your regular language and cangjie input.

If you have more than two input modes, then pressing “command space-bar” will cycle you through those options.