My journey with the Chinese language started in 2016. I thought it was a cool language to learn because it has the most native speakers in the world. So, I thought: why not? I started learning on my own and didn’t even know where to begin. Chinese is probably one of the hardest languages to learn on your own because there are not as many resources online as there are for other languages.
If you want to start learning Chinese and don’t know how or you have some knowledge but want to improve your progress, this is for you. Here are the best ways to learn Chinese in 2025, according to a polyglot.
Step 1: Get a Good Book to Understand the Basics
Start with a solid book to grasp the fundamental structures and grammar. I recommend the New Practical Chinese Reader collection. These are the books I’ve always used. There are six volumes: the first four target beginners, while the last two are for intermediate learners. These books are great if you want to learn all the grammar and useful vocab. There are videos on YouTube where you can listen to the dialogues from every unit, making these books ideal for self-learners.
Step 2: Practice with Online Resources
Chinese is a tough language, so you’ll need various tools to cover all aspects. Here are a few resources that helped me become fluent in Chinese in just three years:
MDBG: This is the best online dictionary out there. Here’s why I love it:
-
- Huge database with almost any word you can imagine.
-
- Searchable by both Chinese and English terms.
-
- Displays pinyin (transcription in the Latin alphabet), word pronunciation, stroke order, traditional Chinese counterpart, and HSK level.
-
- Advanced search options to filter words containing specific characters.
-
- Vocabulary practice section with HSK level quizzes.
Duolingo: Everyone has heard of Duolingo. While I’m not a big fan of its interface and find it repetitive for some languages, it’s excellent for practicing Chinese. Its algorithm helps you memorize words more efficiently, which is crucial since Chinese words take longer to learn. The Chinese course has improved a lot recently, and you can now practice stroke order on the mobile version. It’s a great tool to brush up on vocabulary.
Hello Chinese: This app is perfect for learning basic vocabulary. Similar to Duolingo but tailored specifically to Chinese, it helps you learn grammar points and vocabulary faster. The free version covers HSK 1 and HSK 2, but I recommend unlocking the full content if you’re serious about learning Chinese. The interface is clean and user-friendly.
HSKReading.com: This site offers texts for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners to prepare for HSK exams. Written by native speakers, the texts are easy to follow, and you can hover over any word you don’t understand to get an English translation. It’s my favorite resource for practicing Chinese reading skills.
Step 3: Enhance Your Speaking Skills
Now it’s time to focus on enhancing your speaking skills. Speaking is crucial for fluency and will help you build confidence in using Mandarin in real-life situations. Here are some effective ways to practice speaking Chinese:
iTalki: This platform connects you with native Chinese speakers for one-on-one lessons. It’s a fantastic way to practice speaking and get real-time feedback.
Local Meetups: Check for language exchange meetups in your area. These can provide valuable speaking practice and cultural exchange.
Step 4: Improve Listening Skills
Listening is another vital skill for mastering Mandarin. It helps you understand native speakers and improves your pronunciation. Incorporate these listening resources into your study routine:
ChineseClass101: This resource offers audio and video lessons across various levels. It’s great for improving your listening skills and picking up new vocabulary.
NetEase Cloud Music: Listening to Chinese music can also be a fun way to enhance your listening skills and get used to the rhythm and sounds of the language. This platform, akin to a Chinese version of Spotify, features a vast library of songs in Mandarin and other Chinese dialects, along with curated playlists that can help you immerse yourself in the language.
Step 5: Develop Reading Skills
Reading in Chinese will further boost your language skills and expose you to new vocabulary and sentence structures. To improve your reading, try these resources:
XiaoHongShu: This social media platform is great for reading real Chinese content. It’s like Instagram, but in Chinese, and you can find posts on a variety of topics.
Chinese Breeze: For readers looking to improve their Chinese through graded readers, the Chinese Breeze series offers a range of short stories and novels tailored to different proficiency levels. Each book comes with a glossary and exercises to reinforce learning.
Step 6: Practice Writing
Writing is essential for mastering Chinese characters and sentence structures. Here are some tips and tools to enhance your writing practice:
Tandem: This app connects you with native speakers for language exchange. It’s a great way to practice writing and get corrections from native speakers.
HelloTalk: Similar to Tandem, this app helps you find language partners to practice writing Chinese.
Character Practice Notebooks: Unlike other languages, practicing writing characters manually is essential for Chinese. Character practice notebooks are the most effective way to master writing.
By following these steps and utilizing these resources, you can make significant progress in learning Mandarin Chinese in 2025.
祝你学习语言好运！
