The simplified Chinese characters still use the same pattern like the traditional ones.
a) The simpler substituted element isn’t a stand-alone character.
For examples:
- 單 【dān=simple】 → 单 【dān】
- 僉 【qiān=all】 → 佥 【qiān】
- 岡 【gāng=ridge】 → 冈 【gāng】
- 單 → 单
- 僉 → 佥
- 岡 → 冈
b) The simpler substituted element is a stand-alone character and has a different sound with the traditional character.
When it’s substituted, its phonetic element is changed to become the phonetic of the traditional character; 玉 【yù】becomes 国 【guó】. This method is also known as changing the phonetic element.
For examples:
Traditional Chinese → Simplified Chinese (Simpler Substituted Element)
- 國 【guó=country】 → 国 【guó】( 玉 【yù=jade】)
- 還 【hái=still, yet】 → 还【hái】 ( 不 【bù=no, not】 )
- 潔 【jié=clean】 → 洁 【jié】( 土 【tǔ=land】 and 口【kǒu=mouth】)
- 國 → 国 ( 玉 )
- 還 → 还 ( 不 )
- 潔 → 洁 ( 土and 口 )
c) The simpler substituted element is a stand-alone character and has a similar/same sound as the traditional one.
When it’s substituted, its meaning is changed such as when the meaning of 由 【yóu=cause】is changed to become 邮 【yóu=post】.
For examples:
Traditional Chinese → Simplified Chinese (Simpler Substituted Element)
- 郵 【yóu=mail】→ 邮 【yóu】( 由 【yóu=cause】)
- 樣 【yàng=shape】→ 样 【yàng】( 羊 【yáng=sheep】)
- 園 【yuán= garden】→ 园 【yuán】( 元 【yuán=primary】)
- 郵 → 邮 ( 由 )
- 樣 → 样 ( 羊 )
- 園 → 园 ( 元 )