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Learn to speak Chinese

⏱️ 4-6 hours 📊 Beginner 📚 Learning

About This Idea

Master Mandarin Chinese, the world's most spoken language with over 1 billion speakers. Learning Chinese opens doors to rich culture, business opportunities, and deeper understanding of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Start with pinyin, basic characters, and essential phrases to begin your journey.

📑 Table of Contents

How to Get Started

WEEK 1
FOUNDATION (Days 1-7)
  1. Learn Pinyin: Romanized Chinese pronunciation system - master the 4 tones (flat, rising, falling-rising, falling)
  2. Download HelloChinese or Duolingo: Free apps with structured Chinese courses, start with 15 minutes daily
  3. Master basic greetings: Nǐ hǎo (hello), Xièxie (thank you), Zàijiàn (goodbye)
  4. Learn numbers 1-10: Essential for daily communication
  5. Practice tones daily: Tones change meaning - mā (mother) vs mǎ (horse) - use tone practice apps
WEEK 2
ESSENTIAL PHRASES (Days 8-14)
  1. Learn survival phrases: Wǒ bù dǒng (I don't understand), Qǐng màn yīdiǎn (Please speak slower)
  2. Study basic characters: Start with 20-30 most common characters (人 person, 大 big, 小 small)
  3. Practice with native speakers: Use HelloTalk (free) to chat with Chinese speakers
  4. Watch Chinese content: Children's shows, simple YouTube videos with subtitles
WEEK 3
BUILDING VOCABULARY (Days 15-21)
  1. Learn family terms: Māmā (mom), Bàba (dad), Gēge (older brother)
  2. Master question words: Shénme (what), Nǎlǐ (where), Shéi (who)
  3. Practice writing: Use grid paper, learn stroke order for characters
  4. Join Chinese learning communities: r/ChineseLanguage on Reddit, find study partners
WEEK 4
CONVERSATION PRACTICE (Days 22-30)
  1. Form simple sentences: Subject + verb + object structure
  2. Practice daily conversations: Ordering food, asking directions, introducing yourself
  3. Use spaced repetition: Anki (free) for character and vocabulary review
  4. Celebrate progress: 30 days of consistent study builds strong foundation!

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