How to Learn Chinese from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide
Share
For complete beginners, learning Chinese can seem intimidating at first—with its complex characters, unfamiliar tones, and grammar that’s quite different from European languages. But don’t worry! If you're interested in Chinese, anyone can learn it with the right approach. Here’s a practical guide designed especially for absolute beginners.
1. Start with Pinyin (The Chinese Pronunciation System)
Before jumping into Chinese characters, begin by mastering Pinyin—the Romanized system that helps you pronounce Chinese words correctly. It’s also the foundation for typing Chinese on a keyboard. But remember: Pinyin is just a learning aid—you won’t always see it with characters.
Key areas to focus on:
-
The four tones (e.g., mā “mom,” má “hemp,” mǎ “horse,” mà “scold”)
-
Sounds that don’t exist in English, like “zh,” “x,” “q”
Pro tip: Try taking one-on-one lessons or a Pinyin course from The Ivy Mandarin on TikTok or YouTube. It’s a great way to learn fast.
Contact them here: WhatsApp link
2. Learn Basic Greetings and Phrases
Start speaking from day one! Begin with simple, everyday expressions:
-
你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello
-
谢谢 (Xièxie) – Thank you
-
再见 (Zàijiàn) – Goodbye
-
我叫… (Wǒ jiào…) – My name is…
Practicing with native speakers (like through The Ivy Mandarin on TikTok or YouTube) helps you build confidence early on.
3. Build a Core Vocabulary
Don’t waste time memorizing random words. Start with high-frequency vocabulary like:
-
Numbers: 一 (yī), 二 (èr), 三 (sān)
-
Days of the week: 星期一 (xīngqīyī) – Monday
-
Common verbs: 吃 (chī – eat), 喝 (hē – drink)
You can also check out The Ivy Mandarin’s character course, which includes 139 basic characters, 417 common words, and 417 daily phrases, all with proper pronunciation.
Course link: Learn Chinese Characters
4. Understand the Basics of Chinese Grammar
Good news: Chinese grammar is simpler than many European languages!
-
No verb conjugations
-
No gendered nouns
Key sentence structure:
Subject + Verb + Object (e.g., 我喝水 – Wǒ hē shuǐ – I drink water)
No plural forms or tense changes—use words like “了” to indicate past actions.
5. Start Learning Chinese Characters Gradually
Begin with simple characters like:
-
人 (rén – person)
-
日 (rì – sun/day)
Learn radicals (character components) to spot patterns and make characters easier to remember.
Practice writing using grid paper or apps like Skritter.
6. Immerse Yourself in the Language
-
Watch shows with slower dialogue (e.g., Chinese version of Peppa Pig)
-
Listen to Chinese podcasts (e.g., ChinesePod)
-
Label household items in Chinese to reinforce vocabulary daily
7. Take a Structured Course or Hire a Tutor
Self-study works, but learning with a professional native teacher (like through The Ivy Mandarin) can help you spot and fix mistakes early—and make much faster progress.
8. Be Patient and Stay Consistent
Even just 10–15 minutes a day is better than cramming once in a while. Stay consistent and celebrate every little win!
Final Tip: Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes!
Many learners worry too much about tones or writing perfectly. But the secret is simple: keep practicing. You've got this—加油 (jiā yóu – Go for it)!