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Mandarin Chinese Today
Resources to help you
plan ahead

If you are currently learning Mandarin Chinese as a second language, or planning to do so, here you will find free online learning resources to improve speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

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1.3 billion

Around 1.3 billion people worldwide who spoke Chinese either natively or as a second language

1/6

Mandarin Chinese is one of the six official working languages of the United Nations

80+

More than 80 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems

190+

More than 190 countries and regions are involved in teaching and learning Chinese

About Mandarin

When we talk about Chinese, the word refers to standard Chinese, which is based on Mandarin. Mandarin, also known as Putonghua or Standard Chinese, is the most widely spoken dialect of Chinese language. Mandarin is by far the most widely spoken and understood language in China, with over 80% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is also widely used in other countries like Singapore and Malaysia.

Mandarin, is a subfamily of the Sinitic languages. The Sinitic languages, or the Chinese languages, developed from Proto-Sino-Tibetan, which existed perhaps around 4000 BCE. The earliest written examples of Chinese are from around 1250 BCE. They were written using a form of Chinese called the oracle bone script, which was carved onto turtle shells and animal bones.

Chinese is written in Chinese characters, or Hanzi. These characters need to be learned one by one, because just knowing the pronunciation of a word doesn't give you any indication of how to write it.

Mandarin is a Tonal Language

The meaning of a word depends on the tone or the tones that you say it with. If you change the tone, the meaning of the word changes. There are more than 1.3 billion native speakers of Chinese, if we include all its varieties.

Tones are one part of the pronunciation that can change the meaning of a word. The same written word can be pronounced very differently in different Chinese languages.

There are 4 main tones, plus one neutral tone. The tones are, number one, a high flat tone, two, a rising tone, three, a falling rising tone, four, a falling tone, and five, the neutral tone.

The Writing System

Chinese is written in Chinese characters, or Hanzi. These characters need to be learned one by one, because just knowing the pronunciation of a word doesn't give you any indication of how to write it.

Chinese characters are made up of two main components: radicals and phonetic components. Radicals are the building blocks of characters and represent their meaning or origin. Phonetic components provide clues to the pronunciation of the character.

Writing Chinese characters involves a series of precise strokes that must be executed in a specific order. There are eight basic strokes in Chinese calligraphy, each with its own unique movement and direction.

Find out
What You Need to Learn.
了解您需要学习什么内容

There are 4 basic Chinese language elements: syllables, characters, vocabulary and grammar (syntax), which are the measurement of Chinese language proficiency.

The amount of syllables, characters, vocabulary and grammar that learners should master at each level of Chinese language proficiency should meet the quantitative criteria.

Pinyin Chart
Strokes of Hanzi
Radicals of Hanzi

1000+
The syllable of Chinese
拼音 [ pīn yīn ]

Pinyin is how Chinese characters, words are pronounced, it is the standard system of romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese.

3000+
The character of Chinese
汉字 [ hàn zì ]

Hanzi are logograms, single characters that represent entire words or entire units of meaning.

10000+
The vocabulary of Chinese
词汇 [ cí huì ]

570+
The syntax of Chinese
句型 [ jù xíng ]

What is Hanyu Pinyin & How it works? Basic Knowledge of Learning Mandarin Chinese(Pronunciation)
Pinyin uses Latin letters to express the pronunciation of Chinese characters or words, it is the standard system of romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese.

How to Write Chinese Characters? Basic Knowledge of Learning Mandarin Chinese（Characters）
Chinese characters are made up of various strokes. Mastering the strokes is crucial for writing characters accurately and beautifully.

How to Learn Mandarin Chinese in an Effective Way? A Comprehensive Guide: 10 Tips for Learning Mandarin Chinese
Chinese is not only one of the most spoken languages but also possesses a rich cultural heritage. Here are some tips to help you master this fascinating language.

Online Widgets
to Help You Solve the Problems.
小工具也可以帮您解决大问题。

These Widgets are designed for Mandarin Chinese learners to enhance the learning experience and effectiveness. We've made it super easy for you to convert Hanzi (character) to Pinyin (syllable); find Hanzi (character) with Pinyin (syllable); or get the correct stroke order to write a Chinese character...

Convert
Hanzi to Pinyin

If you saw a Chinese character (Hanzi) and you don't know how to read it, try Hanzi to Pinyin Converter.

Search
Hanzi with Pinyin

If you want to find more Hanzi with the same syllable, you can use Pinyin to Hanzi function.

Find
the Right Bishun

If you want to find out how to write a character in correct stoke order, try this.

Stand Out with
Chinese Language Proficiency Test.
中文水平考试让你脱颖而出。

The tests assess Chinese learners' abilities to use Chinese as a second language in their daily, academic, and professional lives through a standardized examination and evaluation with a uniform grading and scoring system.

Your HSK score can help you stand out to admissions officers, succeed in a job interview, gain points on visa applications and more.

HSK
Chinese Proficiency Test

There are 9 bands of HSK, test takers can take the HSK at their own pace and may retake the test to improve their score if they wish to do so.

There are 5 sections on the HSK test paper: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and Translation, but NOT for all the levels. Listening and Reading are in all the levels' tests, Writing starts from HSK 3, Speaking and Translation are at HSK 7-9 test only.

  • Suitable for all.
  • The world's third-largest language test brand after IELTS and TOEFL.
  • A requirement to prove Chinese proficiency for college enrollment.
  • Evaluation of quality of teaching.
  • ...

HSKK
HSK Speaking Test

The HSK Speaking Test assesses the test takers' oral Chinese abilities. It consists of three levels, including primary, intermediate, and advanced. The HSK speaking test is conducted in the form of an audio recording.

There are 3 levels in the test. The test consists of a series of oral tasks, such as talking about a picture, describing a situation or having a conversation with a native Chinese speaker.

BCT
Business Chinese Test

The Business Chinese Test (BCT) is a proficiency test designed to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native Chinese speakers who are involved in business and economic related fields.

The BCT consists of a written test and a oral test, which are independent of each other. The written test is divided into two levels, the BCT (A), and the BCT (B).

YCT
Youth Chinese Test

The Youth Chinese Test serves several purposes. It not only evaluates the language proficiency of primary and secondary school students, but also encourages them to continue learning Chinese by providing a tangible goal and incentive.

The YCT consists of 4 different levels and 2 levels in the oral test.

MCT
Medical Chinese Test

The Medical Chinese Test (MCT) is a standardized examination designed to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers in the field of medicine.

The MCT consists of three parts: listening, reading, and writing. Your level will be determined by your test score.

How to Book
a Chinese Proficiency Test?
如何预约中文水平考试?

There are over 1300 test centers established in more than 160 countries and regions, you are given options and flexibility in how and where you take your test.

Pick
a Test Date

View the full year's test schedule, decide when and where you want to take the test, and remeber that there is always a registration deadline, so you need to make a plan.

5 Steps
to Book Your Test

All test registrations MUST be done online through the official website of HSK. Here is a guide for you to book your test step by step.

An Overview of Chinese Grammar 4 Key Aspects of Chinese Grammar, Including Sentence Structure, Word Order, Parts of Speech, and Verb Tenses.
Chinese grammar is a complex system that requires careful study and practice to master. By understanding the basic principles of sentence structure, word order, parts of speech, and verb tenses, learners can begin to appreciate the richness and beauty of the Chinese language.

5 Mandarin Chinese Skills You Need to Practice. Train Your Reading, Writing, Listening, Translating and Speaking Skills.
Practicing your reading, writing, listening, translating and speaking skills is an essential part of your Mandarin Chinese learning process, and these skills will also be tested in Chinese Proficiency Test .

How to Write Chinese Characters? Basic Knowledge of Learning Mandarin Chinese（Characters）
Chinese characters, also known as Hanzi, are an essential part of the Chinese language and culture. They have a long history, dating back over 3,000 years, and are considered one of the most complex writing systems in the world.

Mandarin vs. Chinese The Differences between Mandarin and Chinese
While Mandarin and Chinese are related terms, they have distinct meanings in the context of Chinese language learning. Understanding these differences can help learners navigate the complexities of the Chinese language and choose the most appropriate resources and approaches for their individual needs and goals.

What is Hanyu Pinyin & How it works? Basic Knowledge of Learning Mandarin Chinese(Pronunciation)
The use of pinyin has greatly facilitated the learning and teaching of Mandarin Chinese around the world. By breaking down the complex sounds of the language into simple syllables, pinyin provides a clear and systematic way for learners to master the basics of pronunciation. In this article, we will explore what Pinyin is and how it works.

How to Learn Mandarin Chinese in an Effective Way? A Comprehensive Guide: 10 Tips for Learning Mandarin Chinese
Effective learning of Chinese requires clear goals, focus on listening and speaking, reading and writing more, creating a language environment, utilizing technology tools, finding suitable learning resources, and consistent practice. By adopting these methods, you will be able to master Chinese and improve your language skills faster.