Mandarin is the most widely spoken Chinese language. Mandarin comes from the Sanskrit word “Mantrin” which means Minister. The Mandarin is also known as Northern Chinese, Guanhua, Kuan-Hua. It is spoken by almost 92% of Chinese which is around 1.35 billion of the total population.
Mandarin is the mother language of Chinese and it is one of the six official languages of the United Nation and one of five major regional languages of China. It is used as a language for government work of China and Taiwan where Hong Kong and Macau are the exceptions.
Why it is important to learn Mandarin?
- If you want to increase the opportunities in the business sector, learning Mandarin is a must. Chinese are involved in many businesses throughout the world and they use the Mandarin language for official works. Learning Mandarin is the best way to open your doors to the business world. Without understanding Mandarin it would not be possible for you to get deals, understand the transactions converse with Chinese. The best example in front of us is Mark Zuckerberg who is attracting the world with this new Chinese language.
- Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world.
- China is one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures, over 5000 years old. Chinese novel, short stories poetry, biographies all are written in Mandarin. To learn Chinese history and culture you need to learn this language.
- Learning Mandarin is a very logical language. There are no verbs, no plurals, no conjugations, no verb agreement. It consists of 80,000 Chinese characters from which only 3,500 are in use.
- The Mandarin characters are pictographic which requires a steady hand, these are created using strokes which improves your artistic skills.
- It will improve your brainpower because while we are using Mandarin we are actually using both sides of our mind.
- If you know Mandarin you will be able to enjoy traveling south-east Asia, as you have confidence in knowing Mandarin, you can talk to local people there and you will enrich your friend list.
- Last but not least, you will be able to enjoy the delicious and unique dishes of Chinese in the sizzling food markets of China which are not found anywhere else.
Learning the Mandarin Language
- Mandarin is a difficult stress-timed language. It has four tones. These are Level Tone(ping), Rising Tone, Departing Tone(Qu), and Entering/Stop-Final Tone(Ru). These tones matter a lot if you learn Mandarin. If we change the tone it will completely change the meaning in Chinese. Tones matter but do not limit yourself by them.
- There are lots of learning mediums. You need to find out your favorite one. Some are given below:
- Immersed in a country where the language originates and meet the native people, workers that will speak either Mandarin or Chinese. In this way, you will learn about the Chinese culture also.
- Learning from textbooks, the contextual teacher is the easiest way. You can join a local community college for learning Mandarin.
- Adopt a private learner who speaks Mandarin is a viable option.
- Living in China or Taiwan is a preferred option.
- Hanging out with your Chinese friend and asking them to speak Chinese with you.
- Going to Chinatown and eating at the local restaurants there.
- Watching Chinese movies and serials will entertain you along with learning.
- Listening to Chinese Songs. It is an entertaining way of learning.
- Traveling the countries where Mandarin is spoken as a mother language. It will give you a wonderful experience along with learning.
- Joining online classes or youtube tutorials is also beneficial.
- Know your best and favorite learning medium. Then use it and be in it.
- Do not assume that you know everything. Do not assume you know anything until you have tried out things. Empty your head and go for learning.
- If you are interested in reading and writing Chinese characters, the best way to start with is to start learning countings from 1 to 10. They are quite simple to write, countings are same in both the traditional and simplified writing systems.
Chinese Proficiency test-HSK
If you’re looking for a career, business opportunity or long-term goals in the Chinese market, learning Chinese and clearing its proficiency test will certainly give you an edge over your competitors. The most popular Chinese Proficiency test that you should aim to score well in HSK. Below in this section, I am providing you all the basic information that you must know to prepare for HSK test.
The Chinese proficiency test will HSK stands for Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. It is used as the Satandarised test of Standard Chinese Language proficiency of China for foreign students or overseas Chinese. It is also called a Chinese Proficiency Test. It was launched by Hanban in an effort to save Chinese learners.
The HSK Chinese Proficiency test consists of six levels HSK (level I ), HSK (level II), HSK (level III ), HSK (level IV ), HSK (level V ), HSK(level VI). HSK’S six levels are designed to fit into the six levels of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages(CEFR).
- HSK I and HSK II are considered beginner’s level.
- HSK III and HSK HSK IV are categorized under the intermediae level.
- HSK V and HSK VI are regarded as advanced level.
HSK I and HSK II have a maximum score of 200 with 120 points regarded to pass. HSK III to HSK VI has a maximum score of 300 with 180 points required to pass.
HSK is available both online or in a paper-based format, and it is administered in Simplified Chinese characters. It assesses the test takers’ oral Chinese abilities along with written tests. It follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”. The test fee may vary depends on the different countries. There are no restrictions on the number of times the test can be taken. You may take the test as many times as you wish. It covers academics, professionals and daily life Chinese skills.
The test-takers need to contact with the test centers they wish to take a test regarding the test fees. The registration for the test can be done online using www.chinesetest.cn. A detailed HSK test timetable for the following year is released at the end of the current year by Hanban. Test takers will receive the results from the new HSK issued by Hanbans within one month after the test.
HSK can play in the long term view of business relationships in China by demonstrating your commitment to learning the Chinese language and culture. And, as China is becoming global power by the means of manufacturing and hard-working citizens, it makes more sense than ever to learn Mandarin and get ahead of your compeitiors
