The 7 BIGGEST Mistakes Chinese Learners Make

[@georgeherzog5929]

Living with a Chinese mother-in-law will greatly enhance learning.

[@matrixranger20]

作为学了多门语言的中国人，我觉得这个讲的非常好，而且其中很多条也适用于其他语言。如果具体到学中文有别于其他语言的误区，有下面几点。这是我从遇到的外国人乃至以英语为母语的华裔身上发现的，视频大致都有提到。 误区1. 对发音的准确性重视程度严重不足。汉语族的各语言发音容错率都比较低（更极端的还有粤语），发音不准是会严重影响交流的。英语同一个单词在很大范围内的不同发音都可以接受，但是汉语真的不行，我自己就有过无数次听老外说中文听不明白的尴尬经历。另外，学习普通话发音很容易受拼音误导，汉语拼音只是用字母标记来区分不同音节，千万不能当成音标，学发音的时候最好去对照一下IPA。这一点跟粤语拼音不太一样，粤拼几乎可以当音标来用。 误区2. 不认真学习汉字而是舍本逐末去背单词。汉字是汉语构词造句的根本，字远比词重要，记忆单词应该是通过跟每个汉字联系，可以直接参考博主另一个视频。即使是音译词，在翻译成中文的时候也会尽可能考虑用的汉字的意思，比如奔驰、可乐（喝了可以感到快乐）、黑客。黑客这个词里客表示这个词指的是某种人，属于常见的构词法，类似的还有掮客、顾客、游客等等，黑使人联想到戴着墨镜穿着黑衣的形象。这个词台湾翻译为骇客，骇有种令人敬畏的感觉。这些字的选择其实都是有讲究的。再比如翻译金属名称一般用含金字旁的字，气体一般用含气字头的字，液体常用三点水的字，有机物质常用月字旁的汉字，这样一看字就知道这个东西的基本属性。 误区3. 花大量时间试图同时学会认汉字并记住怎么写。每个中国人能认的字都比会写的多，都是先会认并了解书写规则，以后见得多了自然能写，根本不是一起掌握的。另外如果要写好汉字，学习汉字书法是很有必要的，这个大部分现在的中国人也做不到。每个汉字都有历史演变过程，有楷书、隶书、行书、草书等很多字体，每种字体又有很多种不同写法。了解了这些才能知道写出来的汉字怎么样是美观的，以及变形到什么程度是可以接受的。毕竟人手写的汉字不可能跟印刷的一模一样，而且一笔一画来写太花时间，日常手写汉字的话一定需要知道哪里可以简化或者连笔，有时候轮廓对了就行，不需要把细节全写出来。

[@toofardoug2188]

The video talks about 7 mistakes that Chinese learners make. Here are the 7 mistakes: * Mistake 1: Bad pronunciation * Mistake 2: Not learning to read Chinese or waiting too long to learn * Mistake 3: Lack of listening practice * Mistake 4: Trying to learn too much and not acquiring enough * Mistake 5: The wrong input output balance * Mistake 6: Not enough volume * Mistake 7: Lack of consistency The speaker says that the most important thing is to acquire Chinese, which happens subconsciously through listening, reading and watching content.刻意 (kè yì) learning, which is conscious learning, is less important.

[@goreadabook1]

These videos are immensely helpful thankyou guys! Im a 20 year old college student who’s teaching myself through apps and books but these video keep me entertained, informed, and overall just incredibly helpful so please dont stop ! You guys are awesome

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Glad you are enjoying our content and videos!

[@kmacdowe]

You are correct on all those points. Very impressive.

[@ollieanntan4478]

Helpful video! I recently got your pronunciation course and it has made a dramatic difference so far. My husband was like, "Wow you're actually speaking Chinese now!" After 10 months of building with learning vocabulary, characters, and (unfortunately) grammar teaching apps, I finally feel like I'm making breakthroughs with speaking. However, it hit home when you said in the video you had put off getting actual feedback from a tutor, but that made a major difference. I've felt like I know I should get a teacher but I'm embarrassed of my Chinese. But I'm trying to tell myself they are used to teaching beginners and so I'll be fine.

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Glad you are enjoying the Pronunciation course and that you're learning some great ways to improve your speaking! We can't wait to see your continued success!

[@elsvanhage1072]

Don t feel embarrassed- that’s all I can say, talking to myself as well: never utter one sentence except for google translate to check what it is I am blabbering 😉😁

[@user-eh4jv6xw4l]

What you are saying makes sense. I am using an app that teaches characters and also speaking. But what really helps me is watching tons of English subbed mandarin Chinese movies. I am also learning about their culture at the same time. I sometimes catch mistakes. I still have a lot to learn though. I really have fallen in love with their culture and history.

[@pettitcarl]

I've purchased the entire Mandarin Blueprint, i'm excited to keep learning and working hard!

[@MandarinBlueprint]

That's awesome! We can't wait to hear about your success in your Mandarin Language learning journey.

[@annie8725]

Is it worth it?

[@alisalehi773]

Luke is like the cool older brother I always wished I had

[@parsleylikyne3936]

Always grateful for this content❤. Greatly insightful hacks to becoming a natural. 我才来中国不到一个月and I can already notice some improved listening.

[@NOWSKI]

These videos are so motivating! I’m working through the pronunciation mastery course within the Mandarin Blueprint now and I’m amazed at how much I’m absorbing. My biggest problem is making time every day to learn Chinese but I know it’s doable. There’s 24 hours in a day- surely I can spare 30 mins to an hour 😄. Thanks for making these videos!

[@MandarinBlueprint]

You're very welcome!

[@AmbitiousEnough]

you should make a video guide on how to use migaku there isnt much out there for information i think that video would do pretty well too.

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Noted!

[@AmbitiousEnough]

@@MandarinBlueprint thanks 😊

[@parsleylikyne3936]

Could you kindly recommend some great habit tracking apps. I also struggle to ascertain what my character build count is. What would be a closely accurate way to determine this?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

The Habit Tracking app that Luke uses, is in the app store simply called Habit Tracker. Within the Mandarin Blueprint course we show you exactly what Character you're on and how many you've learned. We have a document with all the characters we teach and then as you learn them we highlight them so you can see your progress with Characters.

[@dhairy-30-dd]

My Chinese Pronunciation Was That Good, But After Watching This Video It Helped Really You Guys Are Awesome Your Ways Of Teaching Are Incredible❤

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Our pleasure! Glad we could help

[@theuzers]

what if your a native Chinese speaker and want to learn to read and write? would this course help?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Yes, we focus first on reading here is a blog article you might find interesting --> www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/how-to-speak-chinese/

[@yoyohehe2034]

Hello, I am still quite a new learner. I was wondering when you said "3000 character build-up" how many words is that actually? Coz for instance 图书馆 is 3 characters but only 1 word. So after how many words should we stop build-up and focus on immersion?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

At 3000 characters, you will learn approximately 1500 words, enough for basic daily life conversations.

[@xolang]

Thank you! İnitially İ planned on not focusing too much on writing, but in the course İ'm attending right now, the teacher gets we started with writing right at the beginning, which İ suppose is a good thing, especially since the teacher shows we the meaning of parts of the characters. İ'm interested in traditional characters though, and use traditional character keyboards across my devices whilst learning handwriting in simplified characters because that's what's being taught in the course. Do you think İ should just focus on one instead? Notice though that İ actively "produce" traditional characters pretty much only in typing.

[@Homer1e2]

It's not possible that you don't already know the answer to your question.

[@MandarinBlueprint]

It's completely up to you however I wanted to share with you a video where Phil talks about learning Traditional Characters after learning Simplified using The Hanzi Movie Method -> www.loom.com/share/4c34e0e496464fd1855ff0be941dcbd8

[@АлександрМатвеев-ц7к]

I have a big problem with listening comprehension. Even with beginner level shows like Peppa Pig and 爸爸去哪儿 I recognize only 2-3 words per sentence. I have no problem reading chinese subtitles, but speech sounds like gibberish. Should I work through it, or build my reading skill and return later?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Here is a video from Phil, where he talks about some ways you can improve your listening comprehension -> www.loom.com/share/4587c95522864c2096a62f8c878c674c

[@АлександрМатвеев-ц7к]

@@MandarinBlueprint Thank you

[@AmbitiousEnough]

What software do you use to get two sets of subtitles on netflix or youtube videos or whatever so that I could have mandarin and english

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Hey you can check out Netflix Dual Subtitle and Subtitle Edit

[@AmbitiousEnough]

thanks alot :)@@MandarinBlueprint

[@iammultipotentialite]

Hello. Where can I get the 3K-5K list of Chinese words commonly used? Can I just listen even if I don't understand at all? I have an app that I use everyday which allows me to practice speaking and listening as well as learning pinyin & hanzi. But I am not sure if that is enough?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Firstly, immersing yourself in Chinese content, even if you don't completely understand it, is always beneficial. The key is to expose yourself to the language as much as possible, allowing your brain to become accustomed to it, which will help the language naturally stick. In our course, we provide these characters and words consistently throughout. If you're looking to take your Chinese to the next level, you can begin with our free webclass www.mandarinblueprint.com/free-webinar/

[@iammultipotentialite]

@@MandarinBlueprint thank you for always answering my question. I appreciate you. I watched a Chinese movie last night and to my surprise, I recognized a couple of words! That made me happy no matter how small it was. But one of the many hardships I have with the Chinese language is that it doesn't seem to separate words, the sentence seems to be just one long word, and there isn't a pause 😅

[@questionsyoudidntask1383]

How long does it take to "build" (to like 1000 or so characters). I have been learning chinese for 40 days now and don't feel like i've come very far. What should I do?

[@MandarinBlueprint]

With our "build" course (The Mandarin Blueprint Method, biggest course within The Blueprint), we've seen multiple members master 1,000 characters in 2-3 months at 2-3 hours per day. 50-100 characters a day is also totally possible

[@Dymitry79]

You look like Kaizen from Onimusha . A lot

[@benmorris7276]

So would say to not use English subtitles when watching chinese content?

[@PiggyBread]

I sometimes use Language Reactor. It's pretty good but I wouldn't rely on it too much

[@Soreto23]

Best method is to use both English subtitles and Chinese characters while watching, if u cant have both, then English one is needed at least. It wont make any sense watching chinese content without english subtitles. U wont magicaly understand the sounds

[@Joyless-_-op]

Perhaps you could recommend some Chinese series or movies pls😅

[@benmorris7276]

I was recommended to watch my fair princess by my Chinese classmate

[@Joyless-_-op]

@@benmorris7276 hopefully is good

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Here is a blog post where we recommend some movies and tv shows -> www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/good-chinese-tv-shows-to-learn-mandarin/

[@f8head]

Any suggestions for high quality input for a beginner? I tried Peppa Pig as it is slow and simple but a bit boring.

[@MandarinBlueprint]

Sure. You can find a few recommendations here : www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/best-resources-for-learning-chinese/ www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/good-chinese-tv-shows-to-learn-mandarin/

[@cameronayers2414]

I'm an absolute beginner, do you have a recommendation for which 500 characters to learn? Should I just use the HSK word lists? For flashcards do you recommend handwritten or an app like Anki? Thanks! PS - I'm hard slogging through the valley of disappointment right now, which I didn't actually know was a thing until watching this video, so thanks for that. I feel a little better since that's right where I'm suppose to be...I guess. 😂

[@Soreto23]

At the beggining is good to use some apps to start. U can use hello chinese or super chinese, in addition u can use lingq/du Chinese for reading. Most important thing is that at the very beggining do not rely on learning just only characters, u will lose motivation. Characters which u will be learning have to be involved in small grammar or sentences, because of that u will be able to memorize them much easier, after a month of two u can start using some flashcards. Hello chinese or super chinese will help u with the basic required vocabulary. My mistake was that I started looking for some lists of for example 'HSK 1 vocabulary' and I was learning them seperately all the required vocabulary will be included in these applications, in addition you can buy books from the hsk series, and watch a lot of materials on KZbin :)

[@Farhanullah]

Start with most frequently used characters. Just google it and you can find the lists. Trust me, It’s easier this way.

[@MandarinBlueprint]

We recommend Traverse for flashcards, that is where we have built out all the Mandarin Blueprint Flashcard decks. We don't have a list of the first 500 characters that you should learn. The way we've built out Mandarin Blueprint is so that what you're learning builds upon the previous.

[@Soreto23]

15:50 maybe this is a personal question, but at your level of advancement, which is close to full fluency, why would you sign up for speaking lessons with a tutor? Your wife is Chinese, isn't talking to her enough? I understand that at the initial or intermediate level, just talking to a Chinese person may not be enough, because such a person will not teach you the language, theory or explain the issues professionally. I wonder what else such tutors can teach you in ur case 🤣