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Learn the basics of Chinese language and culture with this comprehensive guide. It covers pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conversation topics with detailed explanations and examples.
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A guide to learning Mandarin Chinese, including grammar, pronunciation, reading, and writing
To learn Mandarin Chinese, begin by learning the tones and sounds used in the language. Learn simple vocabulary and phrases, and practice reading and writing Chinese characters. Immerse yourself in the language. Practice with a native speaker, listen to Chinese podcasts or watch Chinese films, take formal courses to improve your fluency—or even travel to China and use the language on a daily basis. This article explains how to do all of this, in detail. Read on to begin your journey towards mastering Mandarin Chinese.
This article is based on an interview with our language specialist, Tian Zhou, founder of Sishu Mandarin.
Check out the full interview here.
Learn tones and sounds used in Mandarin. Memorize simple vocabulary, numbers, and basic conversational phrases to improve your fluency and pronunciation.
Study basic Mandarin grammar and use the Pinyin phonetic system to learn pronunciation. Practice reading and writing Chinese characters as well.
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means that different tones can change the meaning of a word, even if the pronunciation and spelling are otherwise the same. It is essential to learn the different tones if you wish to speak Mandarin Chinese correctly.
is a high, flat tone. Your voice stays flat, with no rise or dip in the way it sounds. Using the word "ma" as an example, the first tone is indicated using the symbol above the letter a: "mā".
is a rising tone. Your voice rises from a low to middle pitch, as if you were asking someone to repeat something by saying "Huh?" or "What?" The second tone is indicated using the symbol "má".
is a dipping tone. The pitch goes from middle to low to high, like when you say the letter "B". When two third-tone syllables are near each other, the second one retains its third tone sound while the first takes the sound of the second tone. The third tone is indicated using the symbol "mǎ".
There is a common misconception that grammar does not exist in the Chinese language, but this is not true. Chinese grammar rules do exist, they are just very different from those in Indo-European or other language systems. Unlike these languages, Chinese is a very analytic language which is both good news and bad news for language learners.
For instance, in Chinese, there are no complicated rules about conjugations, agreement, gender, plural nouns, or tenses. Most words consist of single syllables which are then combined to make compound words. This makes sentence construction fairly straightforward.
However, Mandarin Chinese has other grammar rules that are not found in English or other Indo-European languages. For example, Mandarin uses grammatical features such as classifiers, topic-prominence, and preference for aspect. As these features are not used in English, they can be quite difficult for learners to grasp.
However, despite the differences, Mandarin usually uses the same word order as English: subject - verb - object. This makes it possible to translate between the languages word-for-word. For example, the English phrase "he likes cats" is translated directly as "tā (he) xǐ huan (likes) māo (cats).
Practice speaking with a native Mandarin speaker.
Ask them to correct any grammar or pronunciation mistakes you make. Have them suggest more informal or colloquial speech that you won't find in a textbook.
If you have a Mandarin-speaking friend, ask if they are willing to practice speaking with you. Otherwise, search online for Mandarin conversation groups in your area.
If you can't locate any Mandarin speakers nearby, search online for language exchange programs with Mandarin speakers who are learning English. Some may be willing to exchange 15 minutes of Mandarin conversation for 15 minutes of English.
, a chat service that is very popular in China featuring many language learning groups/rooms. Most members are native Chinese speakers learning English.
Do this if you prefer to learn in a more formal setting, or if you enjoy being motivated by an instructor. In-person classes are often available in Chinese-American communities, while online courses are available nationwide. Prices range from $300 to $500 or more per year, not including textbooks and other course materials.
Is it hard to learn Mandarin Chinese?
It can be challenging for sure, but it's not impossible. A lot of non-native speakers struggle with the tones, but this is absolutely something that you can teach yourself with practice. If you practice consistently and you work hard, you can do it!
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Are Mandarin and Chinese the same language?
This six-week online course teaches Mandarin Chinese conversation for beginners. It covers topics such as greetings, shopping, eating, transportation, and daily activities, with videos, quizzes, and app items.
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