Start with Pinyin and Tones
Pinyin is the sound system that lets you read pronunciation with the Latin alphabet. Mastering initials, finals, and the four main tones early will save you months later. Think of tones as part of the word, not decoration.
Practice tone pairs and short phrases, not isolated syllables. Keep sessions short and frequent so your ear learns the music of the language. Record yourself and compare to a native clip—quick feedback speeds up learning.
- Learn the 21 initials and common finals in small sets.
- Drill the 4 tones plus neutral tone with minimal pairs.
- Shadow slow audio daily for 5–10 minutes.
- Record yourself; fix one sound or tone per day.
Characters, Radicals, and Stroke Order
You can speak with Pinyin, but characters open the door to signage, menus, and real messages. Start with simplified characters if your target is Mainland China and most online materials.
Focus on radicals (building blocks) so new words feel logical, not random. Learn basic stroke order and write a few lines to train memory. Printable stroke sheets in pdf format are perfect for beginners.
- Learn 10–20 common radicals (person, mouth, water, heart).
- Use spaced repetition flashcards with character + sound + meaning.
- Write each new character 5–10 times using proper stroke order.
- Group characters by radical or theme for easier recall.
High-Frequency Vocab and Simple Grammar
At A1–A2, aim for 400–800 high-frequency words: numbers, time, places, food, transport, daily verbs. Learn words in short phrases so you also acquire usage and tone patterns.
Chinese grammar is compact: subject–time–place–verb–object is a helpful template. Build sentence frames you can swap words into, then practice out loud until they feel automatic.
- Collect phrase pairs: greeting, ordering, asking price, directions.
- Learn core measure words (ge, ben, zhang, bei) with examples.
- Use sentence frames like “I want…”, “I’m going to…”, “How much…?”
- Review yesterday’s 10 words before adding new ones.
Tools, Routines, and Free Online Resources
Consistency beats intensity. A simple plan: 20 minutes listening and speaking, 10 minutes reading and characters, 10 minutes review. Keep a visible tracker—use a printable pdf habit sheet or a notes app.
Mix paid and free options. Many beginner courses offer free lessons, graded readers, podcasts, and decks. Explore online dictionaries with audio and example sentences to support daily learning.
- Use a spaced repetition app for vocab and characters.
- Try free online lessons and YouTube for pronunciation drills.
- Download beginner pdf checklists and stroke-order sheets.
- Keep all materials in one folder so you can study anywhere.
Make Speaking and Listening Your Core
You learn to speak by speaking. Short daily conversations train your ear, tones, and confidence. If you can’t meet locals, find an online tutor or a language exchange partner.
Use focused tasks: order food, introduce yourself, ask for prices, talk about your day. Repeat the same task across several days, polishing tone accuracy and speed each time.
- Shadow slow dialogues, then normal speed.
- Record a 30-second self-introduction weekly to track progress.
- Do 5-minute online tutor sessions focused on one situation.
- Recycle the same script with new words (food, transport, shopping).
FAQ
- Can I learn Chinese yourself as a complete beginner?
- Yes. Start with Pinyin and tones, then add 10 new words a day and a 5–10 minute speaking drill. Use free online audio, beginner pdf checklists, and spaced repetition. Add a weekly 15–30 minute tutor call for feedback.
- Should I study simplified or traditional characters first?
- If your focus is Mainland China or most online courses, choose simplified. If you plan to read in Taiwan or Hong Kong, choose traditional. Either path is fine—pick one and stick to it for consistent learning.
- How many characters do I need at A1–A2?
- Aim for 150–300 characters at A1 and 300–600 by A2, paired with 400–800 words. Prioritize high-frequency characters and learn them in phrases so pronunciation, tone, and meaning grow together.
- What are the best free resources for beginners?
- Look for slow-audio podcasts, graded readers with audio, online dictionaries with example sentences, free HSK word lists, and printable stroke-order pdf sheets. Combine them with a spaced repetition app for daily review.
- How long to reach A2 in Chinese?
- With 45–60 minutes a day, 5–6 days a week, many beginners reach A2 in 4–6 months. Keep a steady routine: tones and listening daily, characters and reading most days, and short speaking sessions for real progress.