How Hard Is It to Learn Mandarin?

Mandarin is one of the hardest languages in the world to learn. Seriously. So pat yourself on the back for embarking on this venture, and welcome because you’ve come to the right place. “The Mandarin Show” teaches Mandarin in a completely revolutionary way by changing the world’s most difficult language into one that’s easy to absorb.

So what’s the secret? 

Secret #1:  You Already Know the Words

Think about the following words for a moment: “bay” “eye” “fun” “gay” “how” “knee” “lung” “new” “pie” and “show.”  Obviously, you already recognize these words because they’re in a language you already know: English.  So what’s our little secret? These words are also, in fact, the sounds of some of the most popular words in Mandarin Chinese. 

Secret #2: Mandarin Words Are Connected to English Words

“The Mandarin Show” teaches you in a way you’ll remember by connecting English words you already know (like the list above) to their meaning in Mandarin. After watching “The Mandarin Show,” you’ll realize that you already know Mandarin.  “The Mandarin Show” literally “shows” you how these words connect.

Here’s an example from the list above: The Mandarin word that sounds like “show” actually means “hands.” So, what’s the connection?  Let’s see a show of hands! No, we mean literally. It’s just like the phrase “show of hands.”  “Show” means “hands” in Mandarin. It’s that easy!

Secret #3:  Learning Mandarin Can Actually Be “Fun.”

To make things even easier, “The Mandarin Show” uses these connections between English and Mandarin words and takes them a big step further by actually performing these word connections as a form of entertainment.  “The Mandarin Show” looks and sounds like a  fun, late-night talk show. You experience comedy sketches, movie parodies, guests, and gags.

Example: Pink is a “fun” color. Wouldn’t you agree? And in Episode #51 of “The Mandarin Show” two comedians show you how “pink” is “fun” by dressing up in “fun” pink clothes and having “fun” tossing a pink ball. Why? Because “fun” sounds like the Mandarin word for… “pink.” Watch one other skit here and add a new word to your growing Mandarin vocabulary.

Mandarin Complexities

Most people think that Mandarin Chinese has a complex structure and unfamiliar sounds, so they may have pushed off learning it for so long because of its “foreignness.” Other language-learning apps promise to make the process easy by using the same, repetitive memorization methods that have been unsuccessful for decades. And while new apps may offer daily streaks to incentivize you to come back to play, aren’t you still being pushed to learn through repetition?  Aren’t you just slowly building up an intolerance to the language? Maybe, just maybe, the conventional process of learning by repetition doesn’t actually work. A different approach to learning is needed.

But Why Is It Hard?

The Mandarin writing system is a shock compared to the English system that we know. The use of Chinese characters takes time to grasp. Unlike alphabet-based languages, there are no “letters” to sound out, but rather complex ideograms representing entire concepts. This means that memorizing characters takes time and practice.

Instead of jumping into the Mandarin writing system, “The Mandarin Show” sticks to basic conversation. You need to start learning this language where it is most easily accessible – by speaking it.

Unlike other languages that rely on intonation or emphasis for meaning, Mandarin has four distinct tonal sounds that change the meaning of a word. For example, the word “ma” can mean mother, horse, hemp, or scold, depending on the tone implied. It can be challenging for non-native speakers to differentiate these tones, but don’t worry – by simply watching episodes of “The Mandarin Show,” your ear for tone and inflection will evolve simultaneously while you are connecting new words.

Mandarin vocabulary can be overwhelming, with thousands of characters and words unique to its language. With vocabulary being so essential, learners must spend a significant amount of time understanding vocabulary and applying it in conversation. This is where “The Mandarin Show” begins – by building up your Mandarin vocabulary naturally from English words that you already know.

The Mandarin Language’s Saving Grace: Less Grammatical Rules

Unlike many other languages, Mandarin does not have tense conjugations or gender agreements. This means that learners do not have to worry about when to add an “s” or “ed” to verbs or how to match nouns and adjectives.

Pronouns in Mandarin are also straightforward. Instead of having different forms for each subject or object pronoun, Mandarin uses one pronoun for “he,” “she,” and “it.” This eliminates the need to memorize multiple forms and makes sentence formation simpler.

Mandarin is a “topic-prominent” structure, where the speaker introduces the main topic of the sentence first and then provides additional information. This allows learners to focus on the most important part of the sentence and build the rest around it.

Another advantage is that there are no articles in Mandarin, such as “the” or “a/an,” to memorize. This may seem like a minor point, but articles can be a source of confusion when learning a new language. Frankly, articles sometimes just get in the way.

In Mandarin, the noun itself takes on the function of the article, so learners simply need to know the word itself. “The Mandarin Show” focuses on the word itself.

Since there is less to follow with grammar, you can spend your time enjoying “The Mandarin Show” episodes of entertainment while you build your 1,500-word bank of vocabulary!

“The Mandarin Show” Is Different

Learning the ancient language of Mandarin Chinese is quite an impressive feat and while it may be tricky, it’s quite simple when you have “The Mandarin Show” as your trusty sidekick! Fear not, intrepid language learners! The Mandarin Show is here to rescue you from the depths of linguistic despair.

Let’s be clear: “The Mandarin Show” doesn’t believe in torturing your brain with mind-numbing repetition. Unlike other language apps that rely on memorization and just end up delivering a monotonous practice that is easy to bail out of, “The Mandarin Show” takes a refreshing approach. We’re all about connecting the dots – from English to Mandarin – while offering you an entertaining experience.

Learn What You Already Know

Instead of throwing a barrage of unpronounceable Chinese words your way and hoping they stick like uncooked spaghetti on a wall, we’ve developed a unique form of language learning that makes natural connections between Mandarin and English. You’ll marvel at how your brain effortlessly links words together, just by watching fun comedy sketches, while turning you into a language-learning master.

And did we mention the entertainment genius that comes with “The Mandarin Show?” Our hosts are the language gurus you never knew you needed. You’ll be chuckling your way to fluency – or getting closer to it, at least.

“The Mandarin Show:” Where Learning Chinese Is “Fun.” 

Learning a new language can be difficult, and Mandarin Chinese is no exception. But the secret of “The Mandarin Show” is in the mental connections between Chinese words and their English meanings to make it all stick. Each episode builds upon the previous – and pretty soon you’ll have one long list of Mandarin vocabulary and phrases that will help you in basic conversation. “The Mandarin Show” makes learning Mandarin easy and fun. You might be surprised how quickly you grasp what you already know. Download the app and start learning Mandarin in a way that will actually stick.