What does learning useful Chinese mean? When I say useful Chinese, I mean must-have phrases and words. The ones that allow you to get by in Chinese. Nothing prevents you thereafter. To start learning Chinese calligraphy. Then continue, with the 400 syllables of Pinyin. But if your goal is to be able to exchange a few words with a customer. Why not invite him for a coffee if he's visiting France. So in these conditions do not waste time. Focus everything on audio immersion. This is the only method that will allow you to be credible in the very short term. You yourself will be amazed by the results obtained. So I let you imagine the reaction of your colleagues.
Learn Chinese, impossible?
Not at all. All the rules you know and find it hard to remember. Like the conjugation of verbs and their different declensions. Or also gender and number agreements. All this does not exist in Chinese. Once you have mastered the form of a word. You have no more questions to ask yourself. Its shape will always stay the same. No exception to the rule. But of course a language without all these complications. It's too good to be true. So where is the Chinese puzzle? I would say 20% in pronunciation and 80% in writing.
Specificity of Chinese writing
As for pronunciation. You have a good twenty sounds that do not exist in French. But the problem can be fixed quite quickly. On the other hand for reading and writing. We speak in general, and this in the study of the basics of any language. Memorizing the 1000 most common words. That means in terms of Chinese. Remember and learn to trace each of its characters. It is not uncommon for after two or even three years. Some don't get any results. So I advise you if you don't have time for all this. Go directly to the video at the bottom of the article. Then to continue with the Chinese series subtitled in French. When you have reached a satisfactory oral level. Then you can take care of the rest.
Free resources to learn Chinese
At the risk of repeating myself. In the professional world, your talents as a calligrapher will probably interest no one. First, make sure you have enough oral luggage. Before you drown in time-consuming learning. Here are free resources to help you do that.
Anki, Chineseskill
There you have two free applications that will allow you to assimilate Chinese vocabulary through play and repetition.
China-new.com
This site is the site par excellence for learning Mandarin Chinese. All the resources, information and tools are there. It is a very well known platform. An almost essential passage for free quality content.
ArchChinese
A list of 9000 Chinese characters accompanied by their pronunciation. As well as many examples in context. (ENGLISH)
Learning Chinese is easy!
Over 90 short videos on all aspects of learning Chinese. Grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.
China, Chinese
The YouTube channel of an Asian language enthusiast. The content is mainly focused on Chinese. But there is also Japanese. Around 30 subscribers follow these videos. Suffice to say that they are very interesting for any beginner.
YOYO - selection of Chinese series
Hundreds and hundreds of hours of videos with professional captioning. For a daily immersion in China without having to travel.
