What's the best way to learn mandarin at home?

[parcben]

My boss has put my name forward to work in china this summer because she assumed i could speak fluent mandarin.
I would still like to go so i need to learn the language and be able to communicate well in it.
Anyone have any advice?

[hkm91450]

Here's a few things:

DL Tool
You can download a mini-dictionary/translator program that catches everything you copy. So, for example, if you see a word you don't know on your computer, you copy it and it gives you pinyin and a English translation -- If your computer can type/write chinese, you can write out a word in notepad and let it translate. This is especially handy if you see a word and you don't know it -- faster than browsing thru a traditional dictionary.
http://dltool.sourceforge.net/

Online Flashcards
This website has over 2000 words/phrases in flashcard form, complete with English translation and pinyin. It's good because it covers the 2000 most common words/phrases in the language.
http://www.yellowbridge.com/language/flashcards.html

Other than that, just talk to people.
Hope this helps, and good luck. -^_^

[Fobstar]

i recommend u take these audio courses ASAP 6 months to learn manderin is pretty hard but not impossible if u can master "Pimsleur's Manderin" you could communicate somewhat the basic sayings -clapclap

not sure how far u are in manderin but the best way to try and speak fluently in all language courses is to take the actual courses where u have a teacher and other people to communicate with.

[parcben]

Thanks for the help
i took a course last year so i can understand mandarin but my speaking isn't that good as i'm always worried about my cantonese or scottish accent coming thru.
I'm going to try and just speak it whenever i get the chance

[shinobi]

i listen to jay chou -whistle -lol

[wazesz]

I would try some audio books and just talking to ppl in mandarin because the stuff u learn from text/audio are usually too formal.

[sweetbox]

Yeah, like Shinobi I often listen to Chinese music to improve my Chinese. But I think the best way to speak Chinese well is to talk to Chinese people.

[popalopa]

Thanks for the advice guys. I would like to learn Chinese too maybe by myself cause I don't have time to take a class. But I will learn mandarin and most of the Chinese artists sing in cantonese right? Maybe I'll get confused?

[kakashijounin]

i think audio files would help you get the basics of it, and maybe a elementary textbook for learning chinese. you won't be amazing by the end of it, but hopefully it'll help when you encounter real life situations in china.

[hkguy]

just sing the songs =P lol thats what i do haha

[parcben]

found another really good way of learning mandarin.
currently watching tv series and movies with subtitles but just have to be careful about relying too much on subtitles.

[hadouken]

lol i do that all the time, haven't worked for me.

[april07]

Try to read the character. learn simple one first.
I am learning too but I need to get good resources for them.
I do speak and able to listen to mandarin but I want to understand the characters. good luck Parcben

[chocomilk]

take online class

[j_29]

i try to sing along and read the lyrics at the same time so i get to know the pronounciation and receognize the characters =)

[Chey]

using the internet or local mandarin courses are you best bet.

[tictacrx]

i hear that just watching movies and series in chinese is a great way...that's how my boyfriend learned

[diclonius]

music and movies worked for me^^ but cantonese was my frist language so it might have been easier for me..

[ddsmd]

I just pick up the lyrics to the chinese songs that I listen to. It's great for recognizing words, but in terms of understanding them, it is still quite tough for me! haha

[sweetlilpiggy]

How about Cantonese? I want to learn Cantonese....

[dmarc]

I'd say watch Chinese tv shows and movies- that's how I learned!

[nickname]

talk with your parents...
I was and still talking mandarin with my parents
though my mandarin still sucks, at least I can speak and understand what people say :P

[Goodgirl]

practice..practice and practice whenever you have a chance....

[parcben]

How about Cantonese? I want to learn Cantonese....
i used to go to classes for my cantonese but now i use http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/ for words i'm not sure about.
they also have mini lessons there.
I usually chat 2 my parents in cantonese, when i told them i was learning mandarin, my mum started talking to me in it but her accent is just as bad as mine.
However my understanding is much better now and it's slightly easier for me to have conversations now.

[cricks11]

i wanna learn too :)

[drakan]

easiest way to learn is using rosetta stone. second easiest way is karaokeing

[lionheart]

make friend with a chinese person

[adaonly]

There are some online tutorials to learn Mandarin. Just google it! Hope this helps.

[cyrus]

watch Chinese TV series, try to read subtitles at first...then your Mandarin will improve...it works. it's dogged that does it

:D

[mvbobenny]

there is no shortcut to learn the language............ be patient.........

[SUSIE-DANG-1988]

I'd say watch Chinese tv shows and movies- that's how I learned!

Lol! Yeah, i would say that too.. Just watch mandarin series and listen to alot off mando songs.. hehehe... Usually works.. if learnign by urself..

[GarryKasparov]

Get a Chinese tutor. Interaction is very important to learn the language. There are many different meanings to the same character.

[lumines]

what kind of work you gonna do in china? and where in china?

[djoni_xu]

i'll try it

[sitorbewwi]

=o ..main thing is if u have friends who speak in mandarin.. say short phrases to them and keep listening to them speak mandarin (thats if they speak a lot of mandarin to their other friends) etc.. yeh tv n songs are gd.. =D so turn that tv on ! w00t.. another excuse to watch tv XD

[don]

Get a Chinese tutor. Interaction is very important to learn the language. There are many different meanings to the same character.
a private tutor is i think the fastest way to learn mandarin but of course watching tv, listening to music would also help

[Riko]

Watch dramas/shows... if you have a basic understanding
I would recommend NOT to Jay Chou's music to learn Mandarin, as his voice/stylistically is much more muddled than what you would normally want to speak (some people would say his Mandarin is not standard... but will be good if you already know some mandarin, just not beginning)....

get college textbooks... learn bopomofo/pinyin so you can pronounce stuff...
http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/ has a VERY good resource for beginning canto, and one of the best dictionaries Ive seen. The dictionary has idioms, colloqial sayings, etc. for both cantonese and mandarin, and is updated constantly.

http://compbuy.co.uk/postxf6100-0-0.html

[momo]

hire a tutor to know the basics of pronunciation and word recognition etc. then go to karoake w/ friends. that's how i learned.

[rosan]

Thanks all !!!!

[mikeyh]

Listenin musiks, watching tv program and singin karakoeke that's what i did :)

[ceetal]

chinese karaoke! =)

[twins888222]

yea i've been wondering whats the best way to learn manderin too!!!

[calvinz_ck]

go talking with the parent or friend

[Lechx]

Watch dramas/shows... if you have a basic understanding
I would recommend NOT to Jay Chou's music to learn Mandarin, as his voice/stylistically is much more muddled than what you would normally want to speak (some people would say his Mandarin is not standard... but will be good if you already know some mandarin, just not beginning)....

get college textbooks... learn bopomofo/pinyin so you can pronounce stuff...
http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/ has a VERY good resource for beginning canto, and one of the best dictionaries Ive seen. The dictionary has idioms, colloqial sayings, etc. for both cantonese and mandarin, and is updated constantly.

http://compbuy.co.uk/postxf6100-0-0.html

Whoaaaa nice site...
do you guys know any sites with pronunciations? my chinese sucks so bad

[iamadog]

it is hard though. try taking some class or mix with people who speak chinese. haha.

[SilverMoon]

yes, singing along to lyrics is the best way ... karaoke! then u try and memorise the words and yah, otherwise watch a show with chinese subtitles .. thats ho wi kept improving mine!

[Fai]

get a chinaman to help u out

[jwu37]

i learned by speaking with my parents growing up

[tamagodaisuki]

watch mandarin shows and listen to mandarin songs usually helps. but if you can't pick up the words like me, then i suggest finding a friend to talk to you in mandarin.

[Marissa]

You can listen to chinese music and read the lyrics. Try www.568.com you can listen to the song and read the lyrics. Watching series and read the subtitles...

[sir_denster]

Practice always helps, right? So even if speaking to your mom only makes you realize how heavy your accent is, it's still better than not practicing at all. Find people to speak with, otherwise you're going to forget everything you learned in your course. Good luck!

[Newt]

I find that watching TVB series helps me with my written chinese. I do not know about mandarin, but if you are learning, try TV shows!

[saiyung]

I learning mandarin too. I listen to the audio whenever I can.

[civica]

thank you

[driver2250]

have you found any friends that speaks mandarin to help you out.

[Kira Yamato]

Here's a few things:

DL Tool
You can download a mini-dictionary/translator program that catches everything you copy. So, for example, if you see a word you don't know on your computer, you copy it and it gives you pinyin and a English translation -- If your computer can type/write chinese, you can write out a word in notepad and let it translate. This is especially handy if you see a word and you don't know it -- faster than browsing thru a traditional dictionary.
http://dltool.sourceforge.net/

Online Flashcards
This website has over 2000 words/phrases in flashcard form, complete with English translation and pinyin. It's good because it covers the 2000 most common words/phrases in the language.
http://www.yellowbridge.com/language/flashcards.html

Other than that, just talk to people.
Hope this helps, and good luck. -^_^.


OMG, thank you so much hkm! I've been looking for something like this for years!

[ceraso83]

www.chinesepod.com

[nyckeion]

try listening to more mando music and watch more mando movies and try to understand thats how i learned =)

[HellGuard99]

grab some wkbks from book stores and start off with Pinyins[pronounciations]

[gloriakong2005]

My teacher says the best way to learn is constant practice. There are many chinese sites that can help you. Just google.

[LilSweetAngel]

the best way is to take classes but if you need to learn it at home you can try watching taiwanese dramas and try to follow along

[Boys123]

i learned cantonese off my parents but not manderin though the know how to speak it

[crash33]

listening to mandarin music and try to sing along with the lyrics in pinyin. I can't get half the songs right, but its fun to try.

[stunstrike]

or just watch those educational program of asian TV, XD.

[Giniro]

I think you go sing karaoke only on mandarin songs it help thats the way i learn can speak and people do understand

[waikitfire]

go sing-k..... is the best way to learn
but u must spent alot :)

[hidden dragon]

its very hard learnin by urself u shuld git a tutor

[poorme]

its very hard learnin by urself u shuld git a tutor
i agree!!!it's really hard to self-study i think, it's because no one's there to motivate you to learn more and more

[nicolaisi]

find a boy or girl friend that speak chinese to u often...:)

[gni]

chat to ur mando friends

[linyong]

This is a hard question but I think the most effective way is by watching Mandarin TV programs and saying the words out loud. Just like how we used to learn English by saying the words out loud. This is the most effective and cheapest way learning a foreign language I think.

[Raymo]

language can also be improved if you stayed at one place long enough because you can adapt to what they're saying. you can also watch mandarin shows with subtitles, use flash cards, or listen to mandarin music.

[花骨朵]

i think chatting with chinese people is the best way to learn mandarin at home.

[Strawbewwy]

just find mandarin songs that has pinyin lyics from the internet and try to sing along with it while trying to understand what it's saying

[ImportTuner]

listen to the pimsleur chinese mp3s. you might be able to find a torrent for them. check your local library, they might have some books on learning chinese. otherwise goto barnes and noble

[YummyYing]

Best ways : talk to chinese people, Chinese TV with english on bottom, listen to chinese music, these are like the best ways, Listen and Learn i guess lol

[ImportTuner]

yeah, watching chinese music videos with the karaoke, although some people say your accent won't be good that way. but still...people should be able to figure out what you're saying i guess.

[THF20]

Having an one on one private tutor to teach u Mandarin in speaking & listening during a period of time. -shock

[Melody604]

I print lyrics that has chinese characters along with pinyin so I can sing a long to it, works quite well actually =) I know how to read a little more and chinese now -clapclap

[vi3tg0d4n]

Yeah, like Shinobi I often listen to Chinese music to improve my Chinese. But I think the best way to speak Chinese well is to talk to Chinese people.

[HK! Fish]

I don't have to worry about learning how to speak in Mandarin, cuz my dad also knows Mandarin, so then I mostly speak to him and sometimes to my other family members.

[teddybear]

Singing Karaoke or watching those boring 'mandarin lessons' dvd.

[~*Dawn*~]

listen to mandarin songs n sing along... but not Jay Chou coz he only mumbles :p

[gunbound911]

online chatting with taiwanese and chinese friends..:P that what i learnt

[LostOne.TR]

something i find to be useful is to goto many diff websites that say stuff (have a wav file/mp3 file) of some sort. it helps to hear different ways of speaking it. as to most websites just say 'one word' and out of context, the pronounciation can be a bit funny.

[Jimmo]

Wow what handy tools, since I am a noob here I never seen these tools. Thanks very much for the tools. It will make my mandarin at home better then before :P

[missyou4ever89]

watching Mandarin movies....i think it's the best way to learn mandarin at home

[blade]

well for me i jus sat in front of the tv and watch series that spoke mandarin, then i eventually learned how to spoke it. Isnt that crazy?

[mega_o_mega]

i learn it about the same way as blade. first i started off watching Canto movies/series, and after i basically know what the characters are going to say the next time i watch it, i would try to watch it in Mandarin, and listen to how they say it.... i still wouldn't speak it, but at least i can sort of listen and know a bit of what they are saying

[AC0110]

The best way to learn it is from every daily basic speaking of it, watching it, watch madarine movie with chinese subtitle >.< listen to man darine song

[kdotc]

watching manderin movies with subtitles when u can't read chinese haha..and when u read subtitles u're too distracted to listen to them speak manderin

[vickeemui]

yeah singing works. or watch mando shows with subtitles. you'll recognize the sounds and then soon be able to pronounce them. ^_^

[AC0110]

^
Yup, b/c some of their word sounds pretty similar and you can just get those in your head right away

[kimmimuichi]

Buy "Integrated Chinese level 1 part 1" and the CD as well, it's the best book in the market to learn mandarin. It also has relevant vocabulary and dialogues that university students can relate to. That's why it is the most widely used mandarin textbook in universities.

[sexmachine]

drama series are the best teacher and ofcourse, pick the taiwanese production, cause they have the most proper accent

[warriors]

watch chinese drama with english subtitles. It helps. I learn malay in this way too

[altongoh]

watch tv!!!

[bopper78]

Practice makes perfect...just gotta speak it

[sau_sau]

ive learnt most of mine thru sing k -worship

[woot]

yea, me too )

[coconutgirl]

well, since is for like work and stuff, i would reccomend finding a friend or someone you know who speaks good in mandarin and have conversations with each other in mandarin. And depending which part of china, you might want to remember some names for different stuff. Cuase although u can say some of the things in mandarin from cantonese, depending on where u are, those people might not know what it means. like for example "hot water". if you're just gonna translate that to mandarin, it'll be something like "re suai" but over in like bei jing or shang hai, they use "re kai suai", like "hot open water". I know its weird. sry if it sounds confusing but hope it'll help u

[aldy78]

Thanks hkm91450


Here's a few things:

DL Tool
You can download a mini-dictionary/translator program that catches everything you copy. So, for example, if you see a word you don't know on your computer, you copy it and it gives you pinyin and a English translation -- If your computer can type/write chinese, you can write out a word in notepad and let it translate. This is especially handy if you see a word and you don't know it -- faster than browsing thru a traditional dictionary.
http://dltool.sourceforge.net/

Online Flashcards
This website has over 2000 words/phrases in flashcard form, complete with English translation and pinyin. It's good because it covers the 2000 most common words/phrases in the language.
http://www.yellowbridge.com/language/flashcards.html

Other than that, just talk to people.
Hope this helps, and good luck. -^_^

[anime4ever]

I learn mandarian when I was little by watching chinese tv series in Mandarian.

[charlestsy]

Listening : watch tons of mandarin oriented movie, start with cartoons if you like.
Sing : Sing your favourite mandarin song with lyrics in front of you, recommend you use mp3 player or CD to do the repeatition.

it sounds simple : you need plenty of home work

[weedpeach]

watch mandarin movies or series and learn. lol thats how i learn. X]

[red_eyes_arena]

haha i learned all my mando from songs. and my mando actually is understandable too (er... thats subjective but still =P)

[aiknee]

either work part time at a chinese restaurant or start watching soaps from China.:D

[korx]

Thanks hkm91450

[mintygirl]

fun ways to learn mandarin would be to listen to mando music and watch mando series, but if time constraints maybe find a mando friend and speak to them in mando all the time, when you say something wrong or incorrect, ask them to correct you, after all, practice makes perfect. ^^


good luck

[mingming2006]

keepin urself occupied wit mandarin stuff all the tym - listen 2 musik, watch like CCTV-9 / Taiwanese channel / PCNE - readin the subs all the tym...to get basic understandin of wat theyre chattin bout =P - n 4 songs - get lyrics n sing 2 em - though i neva do that =P

[Kablamo]

sing karaoke. you see the words, and you're saying it at the same time.

[thebestofme]

listen to song while looking at the lyric would do also

[boypk29]

Here is a little tip for those who knows how to read chinese characters:
Try to watch more mandarin shows and series...while watching it you can look at the subtitile and understand what they are saying and practice them yourself. For those who can't read chinese, you can watch the shows and series with english subs.
OR/AND
Listen to more mandarin songs and sing along with it....if you can read chinese, try to look at the lyrics and then sing along to learn faster.

***Just a little tip from me....'cause that how I learned my mandarin.

[tamagos2]

watch some dramas.that's how I learn..!

[haobuhao]

best is to get an electronic dictiionary, take a class if possible and learn he vocab. i found i was bst if you had someone to practice with

[chickensoup]

Watch lots of lots of movies and listen to songs.
After that you need a conversation partner to keep it sharp

[endo]

karaoke, and watching tv series...and most of all....speaking with someone daily

[Crimson]

I learn everyday Cantonese by watching TVB series. Besides vocabulary, I learn the modern idioms. Though, it helps to know some Chinese already. I have friends who learned mando just by talking with friends who know mando. I dont know if it's the same with cantonese though.

[Brian_T23]

watch mandrin movies with english subtitles..
and listen to mandrin music

[green8]

watch more chinese movies, with the subtitles.

[haobuhao]

goto english.cctv.com you can get streaming video and they have a couple of programs that teach chinese
if you have dish network you can get on tv

[SUSIE-DANG-1988]

everypne seems to be learning mando now.. my sis is learning it! i wanna learn now!!! it seems cool to know all diff languages!

[rickoon]

chat with your friends and watch movie with Mandarin in it with subtitles.

[rickoon]

oh yeah, you can take a course in school too.

[1980]

ez... watch more mandarin drama... hahhaha

[xxilk]

watch mado tv shows...listen to mando music....i think thats the easiest way to learn a language =D

[socaialv]

watch drama...try to talk to someone can speak chinese

[tallgirl888]

I find it hard to learn languages...but if you have someone to speak with it really helps...or go visit Chinatown (well, be careful as people have made fun of my Chinese too)

[x_imperfection_x]

I learned it on my own from watching TV. It helps.

[Fayjai]

get mandarin friends and speak to them with mandarin so you can utilize it more

[AZN-511]

watch mando tv series, watch mando tv series, watch mando tv series, and watch more mando tv series espcially the modern ones. many of the modern mando series shows you typical conversations in mandarin that people have.

[jen_lee8]

you can buy cd rom packages, you can get them online, i brought a set in hk, its quite good, but i dont have time to use it

[hiake]

Best way for listening:
listen to music in mandarin, watch TV or film in mandarin without subtitles (you'll get the hang of it quite soon, if you already know the language somewhat)
Best way for speaking:
well, listen to music and try to do singalongs, serious, I owe half my japanese and french speaking skills there, that's THE BEST way to lose accents, if you have any.
But beware, if you are working in Beijing, it would be wise to listen to mainland Chinese singers, as Taiwanese have a somewhat different way of speaking, even though both language is mandarin.

A side note:
if you can read chinese, try go to forums and sites, just like PA here, that is written in Chinese, since films and TV and music cannot give you a real grasp of the spoken language (in the slang and colliqual sense) and the fact that you may not know the slangs affects your listening skills immensely.

[mayes89]

yea i agree

[lynxd]

If you know how to read Chinese, I would say watching Taiwan/Mainland China series with subtitles or listening to Mandarin song while looking at the lyrics are really helpful in improving one's mandarin.

[wingkin]

www.chinesepod.com
over 300 short audio clips

[factix]

in youtube any videos

[shnukumz81]

I watch tw dramas.

[adoi_1984_boy]

best I would say speak to ur siblings and parents or children! just speak, no problem
lol

[arsenal6]

ya it hard 2 learn a different language...i assume u speak cantonese? if u do mandarin is just like cantonese only a bit different in pronunciation, I am trying to learn mandarin too try watching mandarin dramas

[melroseddl1]

If u know how to read chinese, then watch tvb serries that are in manderin and maybe that would help. If it doesn't help, then listen to Cantonese and Manderin Music, like the same song cuz thats how i learned manderin. Then go to a house with a karokee machine and u can test ur manderin with the music because u can hear what ur sating in the speakers. It really is useful.

[dreamlander]

the best way is probably to use the pimsleurs mandarin audio tape.

[cakl]

Watch mando episodes!
I think that's a pretty good way.. and songs too!

[iria]

use a program called rosettastone combined with pimsleurs and u b fine.:D

[drsnoopy]

just watch movies...it works. Watch Infernal Affairs, if you've seen it in Canto, watch it again in mandarin so you know what they're saying. and say those lines back again yourself.

[Kazushi]

My boss has put my name forward to work in china this summer because she assumed i could speak fluent mandarin.
I would still like to go so i need to learn the language and be able to communicate well in it.
Anyone have any advice?

Do it how i seen lots of peope do it... while sitting on the can ;)

[u-amp]

Take classes, sing along to songs, or look up words from the dictionary(boringest way)

[gk1986]

Best way to learn chinese is to find an environment in which you'll be speaking or practicing chinese reguarly each day. Dating someone chinese could also help, but you'd have to be careful of the nagging...

[jnetcube5]

i'd say watch a lot of movies or series.. but also have subtitles so that you have an idea what is going on still.

[factix]

Hey !!!

First Looking for "Chinese Lesson" in YouTube.com

a lot of videos of chinese

[haobuhao]

find the chinese vcd's that get you ready for the chinese certification exams

[lucashii]

there are tons of tutorial on chinese learning but by far watching tons of tvb helps too =p

[182.andy]

Thak u for all those useful info. I am also learning chinese as well as cantonese.. Can any1 show me the way to learn the cantonese easily n quickly? THq very much.. :P

[patricktjai]

if peeps wanna earn mandarin go watch more television progam .. spoken in manderin ofcourse then ..

[haobuhao]

you need to learn vocab first and the tones then movev onto grammer

[doungtawan]

I can speak some mandarin but I can't write or read.
Maybe some of the suggestion here will help.
I will try when I have the chances.
I too, doesn't have the time to attend classes.
Thank guys for all the suggestion and advise here.

[revlimit]

Find a favorite song and sing along with it whenever you get the chance. This is how I learn some of my mandarin.

[ai0304]

Watch Mandarin movie at home.

[shleeo]

i think u should talk to your family members in mando, thts how i practice.

[happychic]

I definetly improved my Chinese thru watching chinese movies & series, as well as listening to lots of chinese songs. But I would reacon the best way is to attend a proper course

[chrisch83]

the Rosetta Stone program works pretty well for learning different languages.

[misenlai]

just do a study abroad or live in taiwan or mainland for like 2 months then u will learn everything u need to learn... lol

[akira4703]

I think the only way to really learn is practice. Talk with some chinese friends!

[jlsv1996]

watch the same movie over and over again with subtitles until you fully understand the movie without having to read the subtitles. practicing with family and taking up a weekend or evening conversational mandarin class can help speed u the process.

[xam]

Here's a few things:

DL Tool
You can download a mini-dictionary/translator program that catches everything you copy. So, for example, if you see a word you don't know on your computer, you copy it and it gives you pinyin and a English translation -- If your computer can type/write chinese, you can write out a word in notepad and let it translate. This is especially handy if you see a word and you don't know it -- faster than browsing thru a traditional dictionary.
http://dltool.sourceforge.net/

Online Flashcards
This website has over 2000 words/phrases in flashcard form, complete with English translation and pinyin. It's good because it covers the 2000 most common words/phrases in the language.
http://www.yellowbridge.com/language/flashcards.html

Other than that, just talk to people.
Hope this helps, and good luck. -^_^

These tools look great. Am going to give it a try.

[xam]

i recommend u take these audio courses ASAP 6 months to learn manderin is pretty hard but not impossible if u can master "Pimsleur's Manderin" you could communicate somewhat the basic sayings -clapclap

not sure how far u are in manderin but the best way to try and speak fluently in all language courses is to take the actual courses where u have a teacher and other people to communicate with.

Going to give this one a try also.

[xam]

Watch dramas/shows... if you have a basic understanding
I would recommend NOT to Jay Chou's music to learn Mandarin, as his voice/stylistically is much more muddled than what you would normally want to speak (some people would say his Mandarin is not standard... but will be good if you already know some mandarin, just not beginning)....

get college textbooks... learn bopomofo/pinyin so you can pronounce stuff...
http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/ has a VERY good resource for beginning canto, and one of the best dictionaries Ive seen. The dictionary has idioms, colloqial sayings, etc. for both cantonese and mandarin, and is updated constantly.

http://compbuy.co.uk/postxf6100-0-0.html

This looks like a good site for someone who wants to learn Canto and also as a refresher for someone who does not use or speak Canto often. Thanks.

[Jocelyn]

the best way that i learned it was watchin mando series. If you can read chinese it helps too. That's how i learned mando...watched the tw series and read the subtitles lol

[hillary]

yes, I learnt my cantonese by watching TVB series, I guess it would be the same with Mandarin with Taiwanese series.

Perhaps listen to Mandarin songs will help too. and practise make perfect! dont be shy or afraid you may be wrong.

[flaming]

Some of my friend learn mando from singing mando songs xD

[Xx_Flora_xX]

apparently go n take a lang class will do, but u can start by listen to more songs mandarin, it really enhances ur learning of the lang!!!

[BabyRain]

For me, it wld be probably watching Mandarin series with subtitles and listening to Mandarin songs. Then get the lyrics of your fav. song in Mandarin together with han yu pin yin and also translated to another language English for example, so u know the meaning of those words. Then you can memorize the lyrics and slowly you recognize the words too.

[Arctic_fire]

easiest way to learn a language is to use it...

get skype, and call chinese ppl

[ivyjue]

watch chinese movies ,i think

[Tassadar2k03]

i want to learn mandarin does watching series really help

[aznduo]

ya, the pimsleurs are pretty good, but if u speak canto, u should download the pimsleur canto version for a laugh....the way they say things are pretty funny

[andyhin]

i think if u can speak canto then it's easier to learn mando, it's somewhat similar in ways.... i was working wit a few guys who can only speak mando so i had no choice but to learn and addapt. took about 2 months then they could already understand what i was trying to say.... hang around them and dont b afraid to try speak and ask!!!

[yongxlin]

Try listening to audio CDs in your car while you are driving.

[leungyiubun]

speak and listen alot

[ks.ayo]

^ yeah. general speaking and listening isn't hard really. but if its like a business trip then that might be a problem =O

[mormortea]

watched taiwanese or chinese episodes. it really helps and dat's how i improved on my mandarin.

[tengteng89]

That's right.

But I can't learn mandarin alone at home, because i'm too lazy. After I learnt some words i gave it up.
My solution is to go to a school where i can learn mandarin for free. Unless you write many tests, but you learn effictively. the teacher always give you homeworks which you must do it. In this way you can practise you chinese and you will not forget the vocabulayr so quick.

[je t'adore]

pHoenix channel

[DE8779]

Go download lots of Mandarin songs (not those from Taiwan) and find some Chinese movies/drama in Mandarin. I believe that helps. Actually it works for me =D

[asiangang]

listen to mandarin music...if ur family speaks mandarin, then tell them to teach u...or to speak it around the house so you'll get use to it.

[afksn1p3r]

Watch mandarin tv shows with the Chinese subtitles.

[snow_angel]

i'm not sure if this will help you, but i still recommend cable TV ~!
worked for me and my frnds

[yenthi]

watch taiwanese series till u get bored of them! hahaha
thats how i know some of the mando i do actually know hehe
plus its not a pain, its like.. TV haha

[Deevusone]

watched taiwanese or chinese episodes. it really helps and dat's how i improved on my mandarin.

how can one learn mandarin from watching soaps, especially when one doesn't understand the basics?

boa poh moa foh!

[lanbexx]

lol my solution is to be friends with the fobs at our school. born ABC, my chinese has improved remarkably (though heavily weighted towards cuss words) over the past year.

i also take chinese as my foreign language at school. easy A!

but try going to a chinese school and TRYING. its all about exposing yourself to it. you'll pick it up

[dragonluve]

I watch mandarin drama'swith english subs. It helped for me.

[ckhar]

watch mandarin tv series with english subtitile of course

[uraha]

Watch drama or tv show with mandarin and chinese subtitle so you can listern to it and try read it at the same time. Or you can try singing to mandarin songs.

[NextNoName]

One more resource: see my signature. :)

[cranberryplum]

might sound silly, but i learnt mando by watching taiwanesse dramas lol
u learn quicker if ur enjoying it! :P

[sindee]

watch more mandarin movies lol thats how i learned =x

[Kenice]

for me the best way is to listen to madarin music, because when u listen to it and seee th lyrics in chinesse its esay to remember it after

[missdiorcherie]

Watch tv drama in mandarin with the chinese subs !! That's the best way !!
Because i learn cantonese by watching tvb drama in cantonese and i can speak cantonese fluently now !!

[snoopy8888]

marry a china girl

[xemui]

watch more movies in mandarin with subtitles

[tricky7_]

I like to listen to Mandarin song and watch some series. Do you guys think it's harder to learn Mandarin if you already speak cantonese or vice versa??

[unclelooi]

u can watch more taiwaniese drama series...

[bobble138]

just go sing K and listen to lots of mando songs haha...thats what i do xD

[Tak-Wah]

watch tv.. sing K... thats it:p

[Bumblebee]

For me, I went to university to learn it. Being chinese really helps, as I learnt cantonese when I was young. I also work in a chinese restaurant where most of the staff speak mandarin, so I was able to keep using it everyday.

[cOOkiiePOWER]

hmm... i would speak mandarin more at home..

oh and a good way if to get a bunch of mando friends to hang out with. ^^ they'll teach yu alot ^^

[tomemiprozac]

haha you could try watching more dramas. those with subs are good. ;) all the best!

[micafe]

nothing works faster than mandarin g/bf

[EternallyAddicted]

Find a chinese penpal, learn from books, melodies, tv ... and when you know the basics, go in China to improve.

[rin]

you could start identifying simple mandarin words first before go for more complicated words. it helps a lot. pinyin translation helps too...

[hoi_lee]

found another really good way of learning mandarin.
currently watching tv series and movies with subtitles but just have to be careful about relying too much on subtitles.


haha....yea..but try not to use subtitles, if you're canto, you'll soon get the hang of it ^^

[suenstyle]

man, i wanna learn mandarin too...

[shippou8765]

For Manderin..I like to watch dramas with English subtitles. And for Canto & Mandrin,you can play your favourite songs and sing with the lyrics infront of your computer screen.

[endlessluv42]

Well, I'm not sure if you still need the help (since this topic was posted in 2006). But anyhow, in case for others who are interested in learning to speak Mandarin (the non-academic way), I heard that you could watch dramas that are spoken in Mandarin. Not sure how much that will help, but trying to listen in on how words are spoken wouldn't hurt.

Also, my suggestion to you is...listening to Mandarin songs, but following the words with the lyrics. Hope this was helpful in some way!! ^^ Just trying to make learning fun.

[ttyc77]

C mandarin movie. Is the best way to improve.

[jnny]

Watching mandarian speaking drama~!
haha after watching `21321 Korean dramas,,i picked up some Korean words..

[Phil]

lol watch Mandarin shows or DRAMAs from Taiwan ^^

[kumpangxruk]

http://youtube.com/user/askbenny

this user has a lot of videos you can check out. short clips that he has you repeat in chinese and read it along with pinyin. ^_^

[bbes]

http://youtube.com/user/askbenny

this user has a lot of videos you can check out. short clips that he has you repeat in chinese and read it along with pinyin. ^_^

ye but it doesn't teach u very much chinese at all and it doesn't teach u how to read or write. if u just wanted to understand it and learn how to speak it i think it is easier just to watch mandarin shows. its the most effective way to learn it.

[asianviez]

just got dissed ...
went shopping in chinatown
and asked for help in englist, french
and cantonese...
told by store guy
'all chinese should be able to speak
Putonghua" in Cantonese.
made me angry then MAD,
cause he is right!
I should learn to speak some
Guoyu or Mandarin
Rented old TVB series
redubbed in mandarin.
1. already watched ... know plot, words, dialogue
2. learn simple phrases,
3. learn simplified chinese writing.
4. learn some #$% to repeat
to rude, surly store clerks!

[abbaZabba]

thanks alot this helped alot

[pimperro]

Try to follow mandarin series, listen to chinese mv clips on youtube. Or, spend some money for a weekly mandarin course ;)

[pimperro]

Oh yeah, or go on vacation a lot to China :P

[ahwai83]

i was totally hopeless in mandarin previously but i got to get the hang of it by watching taiwan drama n also speaking a lot wit frens

[vanvoong]

I want to learn mandarin also but it is so so hard

[slamdunkfardo]

watch chinese drama

[jell]

i think the best way is to watch dramas depending on the language you speak at home.
i speak cantonese at home, and you know how tvb has the subs at the bottom?
well i learned to read by watching the dramas.
then i started watching taiwanese and mainland dramas by reading their subs.
by doing so, i learned to listen and learned to speak it.
but if all else fails, just borrow one of those discs at the library.
good luck!

[mingming2006]

listen 2 mandarin music...read their lyrics - sing / pronounce in mandarin...
Job done!

[hiromagi]

watch chinese films and tv and speak with native speakers whenever possible

[jossrinaldy]

for me better way for learning mandarin is watching movie and tv in mandarin,

[salcha4u]

Learning Mandarin is not that easy tbh. I'm flunet, but I suckass at writing and reading characters and even following MV's is difficult for me. I say use books :> or have a real tutor. Believe me, you will NOT get anything out of watching a Chinese or Taiwanese drama. Most you can learn are the simple phrases, "xie xie", "ni hao", "yi er san"...

[sebi]

hahah i learn most of my mandarin through watching the news (their pronounciation is the best), tv series (some of their pronounciation's not as accurate, but you get to learn about normal everyday sentence structures / convos), and listening to songs

[bbes]

try chinesepod.com, could help u with ur learning of mandarin.

[LDYCHNX]

lol, a couple months ago I didn't know any mandarin and really wanted to learn too.. then I started watching Taiwan series w/ english subs.. but one of the series didn't have any english subs so I ended up watching with chinese subs.. if you know how to read chinese then you're good. At least thats how I learned.. along w/ listening to mandarin music.. lol I would say my mandarin is passable. :P

[litohmoo]

KTV, hang out with Chinese friends and practice!! =)

[AkkiOnimusha]

playing My Chinese Coach on the NDS......

[wuding]

watching mandarin speaking shows for oral and listening, and translating your favorite chinese songs for writting

[phoenixgirl16]

listening to mando songs an mando series/shows helps you to learn how to pronounce th words
an then speaking it more or singing in mando more helps u to pick it up quicker

[sng26]

only speak mandarin. dont speak any english it will make you learn!

[tofuman617]

I've been forcing myself to watch mandarin movies and shows, after about 4 months i can speak and listen pretty well.

[lyly240]

;-)

[Raindropz]

If you know people who speak mandarin, try communicating them with in mandarin. Constantly using the language and having the people correct you as you make the mistakes is actually one of the fastest ways to learn the langauge.

[asuranj]

it all depends on how much u come in contact with it....
the more ppl around u speak it the more u learn it

[armedretards]

Watch a mandarin tv show and read the subtitle along =)

[wendesigns]

Thanks for the tips....

i mostly watch a lot of drama's with english subtitles if it's posible.
i listen what they say so i can remember what de meaning is. =)
by the way...i'm here ! =)

[fookjay07]

watch films and listen to songs

[SweetCookies74]

I learn my mandarin by watching Taiwanese dramas and listening to mandarin songs while reading the lyrics.

[moosespitz]

i try to talk to my parents & friends in chinese.
both mando & canto.
sing along with jay chou or lee hom.
watch tw/mainland dramas.

[jochelle]

Catch up with more tvb series...!! =p

[serebii]

listen to songs and read those lyrics and also watch videos or follow classes!