Introduction:

A different vocabulary and a completely different script might make Chinese looks like a very difficult language or an uphill task to accomplish. Also, a search for the hardest languages on the web would probably always show Chinese among them, which can intimidate you. Now, whether a language is really difficult or not to learn would depend on many factors. But is it easy to learn Chinese if you know English? 

In this blog we find that out.

More than similarities there are many differences in English and Chinese and they are just that. Differences. We are bound to find differences between any two languages, some may have more others might have less, or might be completely different. Unlike English, Chinese is a tonal language. However, tones can be learned with practice. The pronunciation part may seem to be a difficult task, but if you start comparing the pronunciation with English syllables or similar sounds that can be created with different letter pairings.

Grammar is an essential element of learning a language. Understanding the basic concepts of grammar in a language can play a key role in forming sentences and using them in daily conversations. Unlike English, there are no verb conjugations in Chinese. Irrespective of time and gender, verbs remain the same in Chinese. There are some very consistent basic grammar rules such as the adverbs always used before the verb or adjective. It might look trivial, but there are no articles in Chinese.  

Unlike English and many other languages where we learn the alphabet, Chinese has characters that might frighten or confuse you. But understand that the beauty of language also lies in these characters. Learning Chinese characters directly could be very difficult and here comes Pinyin to your rescue. This is an official romanization system for Chinese characters based on their pronunciation. This can prove to be very effective in learning characters as well as pronunciation of different words. If you are looking for just communicative Chinese and would like to manage with some basic conversation, you might even skip learning characters. But for deeper understanding and a better grip on the language, characters are an essential element to learn.   

You need not learn Chinese all by yourself

Courtesy of the many technological advancements, learning a new skill was never so easy before.  There are many efficient, time-saving, and cost-effective resources available today that could make your Chinese learning easy. You can find an online class where a tutor can help you learn from the basics. A tutor can also help you with some basic tips and tricks to learn Chinese better. You are bound to learn in a more dedicated and consistent manner when you join a class. Regular interaction with the tutor also helps in using Chinese more frequently as you can have a conversation while practicing some basic lessons.

Agreed, that we learn our first language very easily as we are exposed to it from the very time we are born. However, with an open mind, practice, dedication, and perseverance we can definitely learn Chinese.