Start Here: Beginner Steps That Actually Work
If you’re a complete beginner, focus on pinyin (the Romanized spelling), tones, and 50–100 high-frequency words. This gives you the building blocks to speak, hear, and type Chinese right away. Don’t worry about perfection—aim for clear, confident basics.
Next, learn simple sentence patterns: I want…, I like…, I’m going to…, I have…. Combine these with daily topics (food, transport, time, prices) and you’ll be able to understand and express yourself in everyday situations quickly.
- Master pinyin initials and finals before long vocab lists
- Train the 4 tones plus neutral tone from day one
- Learn 20–30 survival phrases for daily life
- Start with HSK 1 topics to guide your learning
Free Tools and Resources for Beginners
Use a mix of free apps, videos, and PDFs. For guided practice, HelloChinese and Duolingo Chinese offer beginner-friendly lessons. For explanations, search Chinese Zero to Hero or Yoyo Chinese videos on YouTube—great for grammar and listening.
Grab free PDF resources: HSK 1–2 word lists, stroke-order sheets, and printable dialogue packs. For dictionaries, Pleco (free core), LINE Dict, or MDBG work well. For spaced-repetition learning, Anki decks help you review efficiently.
- Apps: HelloChinese, Duolingo (free tiers)
- Dictionaries: Pleco, LINE Dict, MDBG
- YouTube: Chinese Zero to Hero, Yoyo Chinese
- PDFs: HSK 1–2 word lists, stroke-order sheets
- Flashcards: Anki decks for tones and vocabulary
A Simple Daily Routine You Can Do Yourself
Consistency beats intensity. Aim for 20–40 minutes daily. Split your session: pronunciation warm-up, a short lesson, then review. Keep it light but focused, and track what you learn in a notebook or a minimal PDF study tracker.
Repeat the same micro-habits each day so your brain knows what to expect. If you miss a day, restart small. The best online routine is the one you actually do—so keep it predictable and fun.
- 5 min: tone drills with pinyin and audio
- 10–15 min: a beginner lesson (app or video)
- 5–10 min: Anki reviews (HSK 1 words)
- 5 min: read aloud one short dialogue
- 2 min: jot a mini journal entry in Chinese
Tones and Pronunciation: Fix It Early
Chinese is a tonal language. The meaning changes with pitch, so train your ear early. Shadow audio: play a short clip, echo it immediately, and match melody, length, and rhythm. Record yourself and compare.
Focus on trouble sounds for English speakers: c, q, x, zh, ch, sh, r. Learn tone pairs (ma-maa, ma-má, etc.) to hear transitions. A few focused minutes daily will save months of unlearning later.
- Shadow 30–60 seconds of slow audio daily
- Practice tone pairs and minimal pairs
- Record, compare, and adjust your pitch
- Use Pleco or YouTube slow playback for clarity
Characters vs Pinyin: What Beginners Should Do
Start with pinyin to speak and listen, then add characters gradually. Learn 150–300 common characters in the first months to unlock signs, menus, and beginner readers. This balance keeps motivation high.
Use free character PDFs: stroke-order sheets and radicals charts. Radicals help you guess meaning and remember forms. Learn to type with pinyin input so you can chat online and keep learning materials searchable.
- Begin with pinyin + audio for speed
- Add characters via radicals and patterns
- Study 5–10 new characters per day
- Type with pinyin input to reinforce words
FAQ
- Can I learn Chinese for free online as a beginner?
- Yes. Combine free apps (HelloChinese, Duolingo), YouTube lessons, dictionaries like Pleco, Anki flashcards, and HSK 1–2 PDF word lists. A simple daily plan makes free learning effective.
- How long to reach A1–A2 in Chinese?
- With 30 minutes daily, many beginners reach A1 in 2–3 months and A2 in 5–8 months. Focus on tones, core grammar patterns, and high-frequency vocabulary.
- Should I learn Simplified or Traditional characters?
- If your goal is Mainland China or online materials, learn Simplified. For Taiwan or Hong Kong, learn Traditional. You can switch later, as many characters overlap.
- Are PDFs useful for beginner Chinese learning?
- Definitely. Use HSK 1–2 vocabulary PDFs, stroke-order sheets, radicals charts, and short dialogue printables. Keep a printable study tracker to review consistently.
- Is pinyin enough, or must I learn characters?
- Pinyin is enough to start speaking and listening. Add characters gradually to read menus, signs, and graded texts. Aim for 150–300 characters in your first months.