To recognize Chinese words look difficult for those who do not know what is "radicals of words" 部首.
A radical is actually part of a word that show the basic meaning. By seeing the radical, you can sometimes guess the meaning.
Words with the same radicals are put in groups for easy searching in front few pages of the dictionaries, but in main text, arrange in hanyu pinyin, that is a-z manner.
Here are just few examples. If you can understand and memorise then you are a fast learner.
See this 部首“鱼”yú,can you guess what this radical means? Yes, fish! 鱼 itself is a word too.
Do not worry if you cannot digest what taught here, it takes time.
Miss, what is your name? 小姐,你叫什么名字?xiáojǐe ní jiào shěn·me míng·zi
Miss, can I borrow your hand phone? 小姐,我可以借你的手机吗?xiáojǐe wǒ kěyǐ jiè ní de shǒujī ma
Pretty girl, want to be my friend? lenglui, 可以做我朋友吗?lenglui kěyǐ zuò wǒ péng·you ma
Uncle, what is the time now? Uncle, 现在多少点?Uncle, duōshǎo diǎn le
Auntie, want to buy? Auntie, 要买吗?Auntie yào mǎi ma
Mr, did you drop your wallet. 先生,你掉了钱包?xiān·sheng ní diào le qiánbāo
Boy, can you help me? 小孩,可以帮我吗?xiǎohái kěyǐ bāng wǎ ma
Girl, where are you going? 小女孩,你去哪里?xiǎonvhái ní qù nà·lǐ