How to Learn Chinese: The Ultimate Guide

Want to learn HOW to learn Chinese the right way? This video gives you a complete plan from beginner to advanced fluency.

🔴 Subscribe for more free Mandarin Chinese training:

✅ WATCH THESE NEXT

✅ FREE RESOURCES

✅ GET THE BLUEPRINT

_____________________________________

✅ LET’S CONNECT

_____________________________________

✅ CONTACT US

[elleryprescott]

Love that you’re a believer in input. I’ll be recommending your channel to my students of Mandarin.

[GlitchYGO-vehg]

Dude i've only watch like 8 minutes, i do have to recognized your job. Great job man

[skrrggg]

l‘m a Chinese，is there anyone willing to teach me English？I can teach you Chinese（simplified or traditional）or Chinese dialects……Anything as long as you teach me English well！😊

[CimolOk-nzyj]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:26 *📝 Creating a Plan for Learning Chinese* - The importance of having a structured plan when learning Chinese, - Tips for focusing on input (listening and reading), - The necessity of understanding pronunciation and characters before moving on to speaking. 02:21 *🚫 Avoiding Traditional Learning Methods* - Explanation of why traditional learning methods like textbooks and classrooms may not be effective, - Emphasis on learning through comprehensible input and engaging material, - Exceptions where textbooks and tutors can be useful. 05:37 *🔊 Starting with Pronunciation* - The critical role of mastering pronunciation early in the learning process, - How good pronunciation aids in better comprehension and connection with locals, - Suggestions for pronunciation practice and improvement. 07:55 *📚 The Importance of Reading* - Reading as the most comprehensible form of input for language learners, - Strategies for building vocabulary and understanding through reading, - Recommendations for learning characters efficiently. 10:16 *🔄 Avoiding Rote Learning* - The inefficacy of rote learning for language acquisition, - Personal anecdote highlighting the pitfalls of rote memorization, - Advantages of holistic learning and context-based memorization. 12:49 *🧠 Using Spaced Repetition Software (SRS)* - Benefits of SRS in efficiently memorizing characters and vocabulary, - Explanation of the spacing effect and its application in language learning, - Tips for using SRS effectively, focusing on review rather than new learning. 20:28 *🎴 Effective Use of Flashcards* - Strategies for utilizing flashcards in language learning, - Importance of completing daily reviews to utilize the SRS algorithm effectively, - Advice on managing the intake of new cards to avoid overwhelming review loads. 21:10 *🗣 The Value of Shadowing* - Shadowing as a tool for improving pronunciation and fluency, - Tips on how to shadow effectively at different learning stages, - Shadowing enhances understanding of content and deepens language skills. 23:15 *🔄 Consistency Is Key* - The impact of daily progress and consistency on language learning, - Emphasizing the importance of never having a zero day, - How small, consistent efforts lead to significant long-term gains. 27:26 *❓ Finding Your 'Why'* - Reflecting on personal motivations for learning Chinese, - Encouragement to consider how mastering Chinese can contribute to broader goals, - Importance of aligning language learning with personal or professional aspirations. 29:02 *🛤 Enjoying the Journey* - Acknowledging language learning as a lifelong journey without a final destination, - Encouragement to find joy in the learning process and adapt goals over time, - Suggestions for making the language learning experience enjoyable and rewarding. Made with HARPA AI

[larissachoong]

Thank you. Very inspiring. I am a Singapore-Chinese and English is what I use to think and communicate in. So I will look into Mandarin Blueprint to help me attain my secret wish to also be good in my native language and be able to connect with Native Speakers and re-connect with the Chinese culture.

[JimSlattery]

Great content, these videos are jam packed with gold. And very well produced. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences as well. 谢谢! I want to encourage YouTube to promote these videos more heavily.

[Calagat]

I have some daunting statistics when asking Chat gpt how many sentences can be constructed with the 150 words in HSK1.

The HSK 1 vocabulary consists of 150 words, not 150 characters. These words can be combined in various ways to form sentences. However, calculating the exact number of sentences that can be created from these words would depend on factors like sentence structure, grammar, and context.

### Simple Estimation

If we consider even a very basic sentence structure (subject + verb + object), and assume that:

- You can choose any word as the subject.
- Any word can serve as the verb (although in reality, not all words would work as verbs).
- Any word can be the object.

Then, the number of possible combinations would be:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = (\text{Number of Subjects}) \times (\text{Number of Verbs}) \times (\text{Number of Objects}) \]

With 150 words, this gives:

\[ 150 \times 150 \times 150 = 3, 375, 000 \text{ possible sentences} \]

However, this is a very rough estimate, as not all combinations would be grammatically correct or meaningful. The real number of valid sentences is likely much lower, depending on how strictly you define what counts as a valid sentence.

Would you like a more detailed breakdown or exploration of specific sentence structures?
Let's dive into some of the most common sentence structures that can be formed using the 150 words in HSK 1. We'll explore several basic structures, calculate the potential number of sentences for each, and discuss how different grammatical rules affect these possibilities.

### 1. **Basic Sentence Structures**

#### a) Subject + Verb (S + V)
This is the simplest sentence structure where the subject (S) performs an action (V).

**Example:**
- **我吃** ("I eat")
- **他看** ("He watches")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Subject:** Pronouns like 我 (wǒ - I), 你 (nǐ - you), 他 (tā - he), 她 (tā - she), etc.
- **Verb:** 吃 (chī - eat), 看 (kàn - watch), 说 (shuō - speak), etc.

Assuming 10 common subjects and around 50 verbs:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 10 \times 50 = 500 \text{ sentences} \]

#### b) Subject + Verb + Object (S + V + O)
This structure is a bit more complex, adding an object that the verb acts upon.

**Example:**
- **我吃苹果** ("I eat apples")
- **她看书** ("She reads a book")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Subject:** Same as above.
- **Verb:** Same as above.
- **Object:** Common objects like 苹果 (píngguǒ - apple), 书 (shū - book), 水 (shuǐ - water), etc.

If we assume 10 subjects, 50 verbs, and 50 objects:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 10 \times 50 \times 50 = 25, 000 \text{ sentences} \]

#### c) Subject + Adjective (S + Adj)
This structure describes the subject using an adjective.

**Example:**
- **苹果红** ("The apple is red")
- **他高** ("He is tall")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Subject:** Common nouns or pronouns.
- **Adjective:** 红 (hóng - red), 高 (gāo - tall), 大 (dà - big), etc.

Assuming 10 subjects and 20 adjectives:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 10 \times 20 = 200 \text{ sentences} \]

### 2. **Extended Sentence Structures**

#### a) Subject + Verb + Adjective (S + V + Adj)
Here, the verb is followed by an adjective to describe the action or state.

**Example:**
- **他走快** ("He walks quickly")
- **她说慢** ("She speaks slowly")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Subject:** Same as above.
- **Verb:** Verbs that can be followed by an adjective.
- **Adjective:** 快 (kuài - fast), 慢 (màn - slow), etc.

Assuming 10 subjects, 20 verbs, and 10 adjectives:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 10 \times 20 \times 10 = 2, 000 \text{ sentences} \]

#### b) Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase (S + V + PP)
This structure adds a prepositional phrase to provide more context.

**Example:**
- **他在家看书** ("He reads a book at home")
- **我在学校吃饭** ("I eat at school")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Subject:** Same as above.
- **Verb:** Verbs that make sense with a location or time.
- **Prepositional Phrase:** 在家 (zài jiā - at home), 在学校 (zài xuéxiào - at school), etc.

Assuming 10 subjects, 20 verbs, and 10 prepositional phrases:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 10 \times 20 \times 10 = 2, 000 \text{ sentences} \]

### 3. **Compound Sentences**

#### a) Subject + Verb + Object + Conjunction + Subject + Verb + Object (S + V + O + Conj + S + V + O)
These are more complex sentences that use conjunctions like 和 (hé - and), 但是 (dànshì - but) to link two clauses.

**Example:**
- **我吃苹果和他喝水** ("I eat an apple, and he drinks water")
- **她看书但是我不看** ("She reads a book, but I don't")

**Potential Combinations:**
- **Conjunctions:** 和, 但是, etc.
- Combine possibilities from previous SVO structures.

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 25, 000 \times 25, 000 \times (\text{Number of Conjunctions}) \]

For simplicity, assume 2 conjunctions:

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = 25, 000 \times 25, 000 \times 2 = 1, 250, 000, 000 \text{ sentences} \]

### 4. **Negative Sentences**

Negative sentences can be formed by adding 不 (bù) before the verb.

**Example:**
- **我不吃苹果** ("I don't eat apples")
- **他不看书** ("He doesn't read a book")

**Potential Combinations:**
- Just multiply the possible combinations by 2 to account for the affirmative and negative forms.

\[ \text{Total Sentences} = (\text{Total from above structures}) \times 2 \]

### Conclusion

With all these structures combined, the number of potential sentences that can be formed from the 150 words in HSK 1 is vast. However, not all of them would be meaningful or grammatically correct. The real number of valid sentences would depend heavily on context and grammar rules. Even with conservative estimates, you're looking at millions of possible sentences.

This analysis gives a rough idea of the diversity of sentences that can be constructed using the basic vocabulary provided by HSK 1.

[zeenukcheolakee]

I've been very on and off of trying to learn Chinese these past couple months but with the methods and the great ideas I got from this video it's definitely something I think I'll be able to stick to and hopefully excel in. Great video!

[seren]

A great video.
Our university teacher made us learn Greek by heart. We had to remember a bunch of sentences in a short period of time and we then had to take tests. It was so exhausting. Now i don't remember anything unfortunately.
I've learned Spanish by myself and now my level is intermediate. I learn it without any pressure or stress.
That's what I want to do with Chinese, too. I listen to your pieces of advice as well. Thank you.

[elleryprescott]

One issue with what you say at 5:15 is that not all tutors or classrooms use traditional methods. There are comprehensible input teachers for almost every language out there, and teachers who use CI and TPRS in the classroom.

[zvhyyxz]

I am Chinese, I can teach anyone to learn Chinese, but I only have one condition, and that is to teach me to learn English

[amirahasiri]

Thank you Coach for these precious advices, I started learning simple things about Chinese almost a month ago, And I wanted to make a real good plan to study “ Faster “, But when you said your last advice I just felt so emotional 😅, it is funny Ik but i have already learned 2 languages before, I learned English by myself and unconsciously Became really fluent without even touching any textbooks, Just because I loved the language & i’m still missing up sometimes and I’m still learning & i’m happy, And almost a lil more than a year ago I started learning Korean and I really enjoyed it Until I reached an upper intermediate Level in less than a year Just because I ENJOYED IT , but I found myself a lil nervous about Chinese But with your advice I just remembered all the good times i had studying the Chinese basics or any other languages, So I’m telling myself and anyone else reading this, Just enjoy the whole Journey & unconsciously you will find yourself in a really good level, THANK YOU SO MUCH COACH 💗

[crqdfev]

You are so good thanks god i found your videos

[SkincarewithAliKhalid]

Practicing chinese is also very helpful to fluent in chinese

[woodenvita]

I am a Chinese, I want to find a friend to teach me English, I can teach you Chinese.

[Aclaxxk]

One thing i think would be great to add to the videos when you are speaking Mandarin in the intros etc to have the characters and pinyin below the English translation - helps to connect it all

[gabrielvinicius]

Your videos are really genuine with great advices, i saw many videos of people who would just pretend they were good, and that they learned chinese fluently in 6 months

[jtam]

It's true! Enjoy the journey and have fun!

[LC-bjvg]

I don't have the money yet to pay for your blueprint but I want to take your course once I can afford it.

[kwqefkv]

Greetings

1:25 i do believe it's likely to happend, but don't regret it. For me it's part of a journey.