* Simplified vs. Traditional: There are two main character sets: Simplified Chinese used in mainland China and Singapore, and Traditional Chinese used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Each has a different number of characters.
* "Character" is complex: The concept of a "character" can be interpreted in different ways. Do we count individual characters, or consider variations like different fonts or archaic forms?
* Continual Evolution: The Chinese language and writing system are constantly evolving, with new characters being created and old ones falling into disuse.
Here are some figures to give you a general idea:
* Simplified Chinese: Commonly cited as having around 7,000 characters for everyday use, with a larger dictionary containing over 20,000.
* Traditional Chinese: Often said to have around 13,000 characters for everyday use, with a larger dictionary containing over 50,000.
Ultimately, the exact number of characters in Chinese depends on how you define "character" and which character set you're considering.