Start with sounds: pinyin and tones
Before characters, focus on pinyin and tones. Pinyin shows you how chinese sounds connect to letters, and tones tell you the pitch pattern. If you master these early, everything else becomes easier for a beginner. Spend 10–15 minutes a day on tone drills and simple syllables like ma, ba, da.
Practice minimal pairs and tone pairs, record yourself, and compare to native audio. Keep it short but regular. After one or two weeks, you should hear and produce the four tones and neutral tone more confidently.
- Download a free pinyin chart pdf with audio.
- Use a tone trainer online for daily 5-minute drills.
- Record yourself on your phone and compare to native clips.
- Shadow slow sentences: copy rhythm, tone, and flow.
Build core words and simple grammar
Start with HSK 1 or similar beginner lists: greetings, numbers, days, basic verbs, measure words. Learn 10–15 new words per day, then review. Use a free spaced-repetition deck to make learning stick. Add audio and example sentences you understand.
Grammar is simple at A1–A2: Subject-Verb-Object, time words before the verb, and question particles like ma and ne. Learn one pattern, make three examples yourself, and speak them out loud.
- Grab a free HSK 1 word list pdf.
- Use a free SRS flashcard app for daily review.
- Track mini-goals: 100 words, then 300, then 500.
- Learn a few set phrases you can use immediately.
Make a simple daily plan you can keep
Consistency beats long study marathons. Aim for 25–40 minutes most days. Break it into small blocks so you can fit it around life. Keep one focus per block: sounds, words, grammar, or listening.
Create a weekly loop so you always know what to do. If you miss a day, just pick up the next block. Learning a language is a long run, not a sprint, and you can do it yourself with small steps.
- Mon: pinyin and tones (10m) + words (15m).
- Tue: listening (15m) + speak or shadow (10m).
- Wed: grammar pattern (10m) + examples (10m).
- Thu: review + short online conversation or voice notes.
Read and write characters without stress
Add characters after 1–2 weeks of pinyin work. Start with frequent radicals so you see patterns, not random shapes. Learn stroke order for clarity, but do not push handwriting too hard at first. Typing with pinyin is enough for beginners.
Connect each new character to sound, meaning, and a simple sentence. Review little and often. Characters become friendly when you notice repeating parts and build them like Lego.
- Study 10 common radicals, then expand.
- Use printable grid sheets or a stroke order pdf.
- Type with a free pinyin IME to build reading speed.
- Make dual cards: character on one side, pinyin + meaning on the other.
Practice listening and speaking online
Input first, then output. Listen to slow, clear sentences daily. Shadow short clips: pause, repeat, copy the tone and rhythm. Record yourself to hear progress. Even five minutes helps your ear and mouth adapt.
For free speaking practice, swap voice messages with language partners online. Keep it simple: self-introductions, daily plans, food, and hobbies. Repeat the same topics until they feel automatic.
- Use beginner podcasts with transcripts and pinyin.
- Read along while listening, then listen without text.
- Shadow 1–2 short lines, three times each.
- Join a free language exchange app for weekly practice.
FAQ
- How long to reach A1–A2 in chinese if I learn by myself?
- With 30–40 minutes a day, many beginners reach A1 in 6–8 weeks and A2 in about 3–6 months. Progress depends on consistent listening, daily review, and simple speaking practice.
- Should I learn pinyin or characters first?
- Start with pinyin and tones for 1–2 weeks. Then add characters gradually while you keep listening and speaking. This keeps pronunciation clear and makes characters easier to remember.
- Are tones really that hard?
- They feel strange at first but get easier with daily short drills. Practice tone pairs, record yourself, and shadow native audio. Small, regular practice beats long, rare sessions.
- How can I practice speaking for free without a partner?
- Shadow audio, read sentences out loud, and record short monologues. Use your phone’s speech recognition to check. Later, swap voice notes in free online language communities.
- What free pdfs and tools should a beginner use?
- Get a pinyin chart pdf with audio, an HSK 1 word list pdf, printable stroke order sheets, and a free SRS flashcard app. Add slow beginner podcasts and a free pinyin typing IME.