Recognize a shape. Find a root. Type a character.

Cangjie and Quick input explained.

Compare full Cangjie codes with Quick first-and-last-key input. See worked examples and understand the tradeoff between fewer keys and more candidate choices.

The same roots, a shorter code

VND becomes VD.
好 stays 好.

Quick (速成), also called Simplified Cangjie, uses the first and last letters of a full Cangjie code. The shorter code is easier to enter, but it usually gives you more candidates to choose from.

“Simplified” refers to the input code. It does not mean you must type Simplified Chinese characters.

好

Full codeVND

QuickVD

Keep the first and final code letters.

Compare checked examples

Shorten the code, then choose

A one-letter full code stays one letter. A two-letter code already has its first and last letters.

Character	Full code	Quick	Meaning
日	A	A	sun
明	AB	AB	bright
好	VND	VD	good
字	JND	JD	written character
品	RRR	RR	item; quality
國	WIRM	WM	country
語	YRMMR	YR	language

Full codes help narrow the choice

More letters preserve more of the character's shape information. Learning the full code gives you a clearer link between the roots and the character, and often reduces the number of candidates.

A full code is not a promise of a unique result. Different characters can share codes, and the site's compatibility entries can add candidates.

When practising, learn the complete example first. You can then derive its Quick alias instead of memorizing an unrelated shortcut.

Quick helps you get started

Quick needs fewer letters, especially for longer codes. It can be useful while you are learning roots or when you are comfortable choosing from a larger list.

On this site, full codes and Quick aliases share the Cangjie keyboard; there is no separate Quick switch. Enter vd and find 好, or enter vnd to use its full code.

Results can mix full-code matches with Quick aliases. Candidate order can differ from other keyboards, so check the character rather than memorizing its number.

Try shortening a code

1The full code for 國 is WIRM. What is its Quick alias?

WI WM IRM

2The full code for 日 is A. What do you enter here?

AA AX A

3Does Quick mean the output must be Simplified Chinese?

Yes. No. It shortens the input code.

Reference checks: Hong Kong Education Bureau · input methods, Chu Bong-Foo's Cangjie handbook and Unicode · Cangjie codes. Lessons and diagrams are original i2Bopomo material; example codes are checked against this site's dictionary.

Keep going

Learn Cangjie

Character decompositionSee how Chinese character shapes become Cangjie codes. Study ordered root examples, learn where simple rules stop, and check your understanding. Cangjie typing lessonType your first Chinese characters using Cangjie. Follow a working code example, choose a candidate, and learn the shortcuts in the i2Bopomo keyboard. Cangjie practiceRecall full Cangjie codes for 24 beginner characters. Start with single roots, use key hints, check your answers, and review the shapes you have learned.