Turn the plan into a habit today.
Start your daily plan →Short lessons matched to your HSK level
Start with a goal and a level
A goal keeps you going. The HSK gives you levels, word lists and practice tests. Take the free level test, choose the level after the one you pass and plan to reach it in a few months.
How to learn Chinese: the order
For how to learn chinese, work in this order: sounds (pinyin and tones), the most common words, basic sentence patterns, and then characters and reading. Listening and speaking practice run through all of it.
- Week 1: pinyin, tones and 30 words.
- Weeks 2–4: HSK 1 words and basic sentences.
- Then: one new pattern and ten new words a day, with weekly review.
A weekly plan for the best way to learn mandarin
Study a little every day rather than a lot on one day. A good week has five short lessons, one longer review, one mock section and a conversation with the AI tutor. Write new characters by hand at least once.
Chinese learning resources that work together
Good chinese learning resources cover different skills. Here: word lists and flashcards for vocabulary, the stroke order tool for writing, the pronunciation trainer for speaking, mock exams for testing and the AI tutor for conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn Mandarin?
For English speakers, HSK 4 typically takes 400 to 600 hours of study. Regular short practice is faster than occasional long sessions.
Should I learn characters or pinyin first?
Start with pinyin so you know the sounds, then add characters gradually.
Ready to practise?
Short lessons matched to your HSK level
Start your daily plan →Explore HSK vocabulary, practise with Chinese exercises, or take a NewHSK Mock Exam.