How hard is Mandarin Chinese?

Widely regarded as one of the world's toughest languages to learn, Mandarin is considered by many as impossible. Anyone who's learnt this notoriously difficult language is bound to be met with gasps of surprise and admiration when speaking of their accomplishment.

How long does it take to learn Mandarin Chinese?

It takes about 4-7 years (roughly 2200 to 4000 hours) to become fluent in every aspect of the language, if you spend at least an hour and a half to study every day. However, it's quite common for learners to become more fluent in some areas than others depending on how they allotted their study time.

Is Chinese Mandarin the hardest language?

Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.

Why is Mandarin so difficult?

Mandarin operates with four different tones, meaning that the way that you say a word can give it four different meanings! It is this tonality – this pronunciation – that causes most trouble for nearly all new speakers and makes Chinese a difficult language to master.

Is Mandarin harder than English?

There is no definitive answer to this question because it depends entirely on your mother tongue, as well as a whole range of other variables. Both languages are very different from each other, which is why native speakers from both sides claim the other to be the more difficult language to learn.

How Hard is Learning CHINESE?

Is Mandarin or Spanish harder?

Compared to the simple alphabet that English offers, Mandarin contains thousands of symbols. Learning expert Scott H. Young states that speaking Mandarin is not only harder than speaking Spanish, but it is fundamentally different.

How much harder is Chinese than Spanish?

For those curious on an entirely unscientific attempt at quantifying the difference in difficulty between the two, my current feeling is that learning Chinese to spoken fluency is probably 2-3x as much work as it is for Spanish. If you include reading and writing, then 3-4x isn't an exaggeration.

Can I learn Chinese in 3 months?

With the right work and attitude, you can make massive progress in your Chinese learning in three months. And if having a conversation in Mandarin Chinese is your primary goal, it can be achievable with just three months of study, even if you're starting from zero.

Is Korean as hard as Mandarin?

Generally speaking, we might assert that Korean is easier for an English speaker to learn than Mandarin Chinese. But this is very relative. In fact, the US Foreign Service Institute assigns Mandarin Chinese and Korean the same level of difficulty. Both languages are in “Category Four”.

How long does it take to fluently learn Mandarin?

If you want to be fully fluent in Mandarin, you'd better plan to spend about 230 weeks, which is about 4 years.

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Is Japanese harder than Mandarin?

Japanese is slightly easier to learn. But, Chinese is much more widely spoken. Both languages have their pros and cons.

What is the top 5 hardest language to learn?

Can Mandarin be self taught?

Self studying Chinese online can seem exceptionally difficult! But it's not impossible! You can still make good progress or successfully maintain your current level, even from home. There are dozens of free and affordable ways to self-study Mandarin Chinese online.

What is the best age to learn Mandarin?

What age is best for you (or your kids) to start learning Chinese? A general consensus is that in order to develop a native accent easily, children should start learning Chinese before the age of 12.

Is it still worth learning Mandarin?

It's worth learning because knowing Mandarin will make your travel easier. Being able to speak and understand Chinese Mandarin will greatly benefit your trip to China. For most Chinese people, especially those not living in the tier top city, communicating in English will be impossible.

Should I learn Japanese or Mandarin?

If you're interested in learning Japanese with anime, J-pop, or because you love Japanese food and culture, then the choice is easy. On the other hand, for those interested in Chinese history and how it shaped many other Asian cultures, learning Chinese would be a great way to gain more insight.

Can Chinese understand Korean?

While the similarities between the two languages are noticeable, Chinese and Korean aren't mutually intelligible. Korean and Chinese people couldn't understand each other if they only used their native language in a conversation. That's because they're from different language families.

Should I learn Korean or Chinese first?

Relatively, Korean would be an easier language to learn. Thanks to its phonetic alphabet and more simplistic grammar rules, Korean is not the most challenging Asian language to learn. Chinese on the other hand is much more widely spoken. This means that finding study materials and practice partners would be easier.

Is Duolingo effective for Chinese?

Duolingo Chinese really excels in terms of motivating learners to continue studying the language. As you complete each level you win gems that you can use in the store for extra lives, more points, and other game-related items. You are awarded for completed levels and for completing your daily set time limit.

Can I learn Chinese at 40?

Abigale: Of course not. Some of our students are 80 years old and are still learning Chinese. They study very hard, which also inspired us. It's never too late to learn!

Is it too late to learn Chinese?

If you are middle-aged or north of your thirties, you may think that it is too late in your life to learn a new language. But the truth is, it is not too late, even for a language as difficult as Mandarin. It is never too late until you are dead.

What are the 3 hardest languages to learn in order?

Generally, if you're an English speaker with no exposure to other languages, here are some of the most challenging and difficult languages to learn: Mandarin Chinese. Arabic. Vietnamese.

What is the number 1 hardest language to learn?

1. Mandarin Chinese. Interestingly, the hardest language to learn is also the most widely spoken native language in the world. Mandarin Chinese is challenging for a number of reasons.

What is most useful language to learn?