How to Learn Chinese Leaning to speak Chinese isn’t rocket science. There are some things you can do to make it painless or nearly so. You should speak to Chinese people when you get a chance, and in their native tongue. Doing so can improve your Chinese fluency quickly.
1/3 Learning to Speak Mandarin Chinese 1) Learn some basic vocabulary The first thing to do when learning a new language is to memorize some simple yet important words and start practicing with them as soon as possible. Although things like grammar and sentence structure are important, they mean nothing until you develop a basic vocabulary. Here’s a short list to get you started: Hello = nǐhǎo, pronounced [nee hauw] With 2 third tones. Not “ho” or “how” somewhere in the middle. Listen to a native speaker as a reference. Yes = shì , pronounced [sher]“ But not as in "sure”. ALWAYS listen to a native speaker, as described with English pronunciations in the learners minds will be difficult. No = búshì , pronounced [boo sher] look above. Goodbye = zài jiàn, pronounced [zai jee-ian] Morning = zǎoshàng, pronounced “[zauw-shaung-hauw]” Afternoon = xiàwǔ, pronounced There is almost no clear way to describe the “x” in pinyin with English pronunciations. Look it up and listen to a native speaker say it. Contrary to popular misinformation, the “x” DOESN’T AT ALL sound like “sh”! Evening = wǎn shàng, pronounced [wang shaung] Head = tóu, pronounced [toe] with a 2nd tone, that goes up.