Yes, it is difficult even for Chinese native speakers. Character amnesia is a thing.<p>Read for example this classic essay<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.pinyin.info&#x2F;readings&#x2F;texts&#x2F;moser.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.pinyin.info&#x2F;readings&#x2F;texts&#x2F;moser.html</a><p>written by an actual linguist.