Q: Do I learn Chinese faster in China?

Although you can learn Chinese just about anywhere, it's always best to be in the country of the language you are speaking to make quicker progress. Immersive experiences make all the difference with language learning.

Q: Does China have many dialects?

Yes there are lots of dialects. Mandarin is the most commonly spoken. In the north (north east mainly) the sounds can be a little harsher than the more softly spoken south. You've then got the likes of Shanghainese and Cantonese which really sound nothing like Mandarin. There are many, many more!

Q: Does Taiwan and Hong Kong use simplified Mandarin?

Both Taiwan and Hong Kong use traditional characters. These are generally more complex on the eye although some characters may still look similar.

Question 1

Do I learn Chinese faster in China?

Accepted Answer

Although you can learn Chinese just about anywhere, it's always best to be in the country of the language you are speaking to make quicker progress. Immersive experiences make all the difference with language learning.

Question 2

Does China have many dialects?

Accepted Answer

Yes there are lots of dialects.

Mandarin is the most commonly spoken. In the north (north east mainly) the sounds can be a little harsher than the more softly spoken south. You've then got the likes of Shanghainese and Cantonese which really sound nothing like Mandarin.

There are many, many more!

Question 3

Where is the cheapest place to learn Chinese in China?

Accepted Answer

Generally avoiding the bigger cities is best for cheaper cost of living, as can be said of any country.

Beihai would be a great place to learn Chinese cheap because it's a smaller (by Chinese standards) city, the cost of living is low, and there are many northerners down in Beihai due to the warmer weather meaning you get more standard Mandarin than normal in the south.

Question 4

Does Taiwan and Hong Kong use simplified Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

Both Taiwan and Hong Kong use traditional characters. These are generally more complex on the eye although some characters may still look similar.

Question 5

Should I learn Traditional or Simplified Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

This depends on a number of factors, all of which we cover in our Simplified vs Traditional Mandarin article.

To be frank as a Chinese language learner, whether you choose traditional or simplified Chinese, it won’t make much difference in the long run.

Question 6

Should I know some Chinese before coming to China?

Accepted Answer

Sure it helps, but it's not essential. If you are in a bigger city, especially Shanghai you will find you'll be able to just about get by.

We would always advise of course you pick up some Mandarin basics before coming though.

Question 7

Can I become fluent in a year?

Accepted Answer

The million dollar question - in a nutshell no... but a lot depends on how you define fluency.

We've had complete beginners pass HSK 6 in a year, so if that's your definition, then yes it is possible... but fluency depends on so many factors and understanding a culture as well as a language and that takes years of practice.

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