Learn Traditional Chinese: Start Here
Start Here in Traditional Chinese: 從這裡開始 (cóng zhèlǐ kāishǐ) — “start here.”
If you’re new to Traditional Chinese (or you tried before and your brain rage-quit), this page is your clean on-ramp. Do the 3-step setup, follow the 14-day plan, and you’ll be introducing yourself, asking simple questions, and surviving daily life phrases without memorizing a dictionary.
If You Do Nothing Else, Do This (3-Step Setup)
Step 1: Get The Sounds (Pinyin + Tones)
Spend one focused session on pronunciation so every future lesson is easier. You don’t need perfection—just a solid “I can hear the difference” baseline.
Step 2: Install Your “Don’t Panic” Tools
If you can look up words fast and type a quick message, you learn faster. It’s not cheating; it’s 2026.
Step 3: Learn The “Survival Set” First
Greetings + basic questions + “thank you / sorry / where is the toilet” = instant usefulness. Start there, then build out.
Yak Snark (Supportive Edition): You don’t “learn Chinese” by collecting random words like Pokémon. You learn it by repeating a small, useful set until it feels boring—then you level up.
Your Tiny Survival Phrase Kit (Use This All Week)
These show up everywhere in beginner conversations. Say them out loud. A lot. (Yes, even when you feel dramatic about tones.)
| Phrase (Hanzi) | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 從這裡開始 | cóng zhèlǐ kāishǐ | start here | 從這裡開始學中文。 | Cóng zhèlǐ kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén. | Start learning Chinese from here. |
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | hello | 你好！很高興認識你。 | Nǐ hǎo! Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ. | Hello! Nice to meet you. |
| 請問 | qǐngwèn | excuse me / may I ask… | 請問，廁所在哪裡？ | Qǐngwèn, cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ? | Excuse me, where is the restroom? |
| 謝謝 | xièxie | thank you | 謝謝你今天的幫忙。 | Xièxie nǐ jīntiān de bāngmáng. | Thanks for your help today. |
| 不客氣 | bù kèqì | you’re welcome | A：謝謝！B：不客氣。 | A: Xièxie! B: Bù kèqì. | A: Thanks! B: You’re welcome. |
| 對不起 | duìbuqǐ | sorry | 對不起，我遲到了。 | Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le. | Sorry, I’m late. |
| 我叫… | wǒ jiào … | my name is… | 我叫 Amy，你呢？ | Wǒ jiào Amy, nǐ ne? | I’m Amy. And you? |
| 我來自… | wǒ láizì … | I’m from… | 我來自美國。 | Wǒ láizì Měiguó. | I’m from the U.S. |
| 可以嗎？ | kěyǐ ma? | is it okay? / can I…? | 我可以坐這裡嗎？ | Wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ ma? | Can I sit here? |
Want more “daily life” phrases like these? Go next to Essential Traditional Chinese Phrases.
Your 14-Day Beginner Plan (Reading + Practice Links)
Target: 15–25 minutes per day. Don’t binge. Don’t “save it for the weekend.” Just show up daily, repeat the same core phrases, and you’ll feel the momentum.
| Day | Read | Practice (5–10 Minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinyin Explained Traditional Chinese Tones | Say your Survival Phrase Kit out loud 3 times. Record once. (Yes, you will cringe. It’s fine.) |
| 2 | Traditional Chinese Greetings How To Say Hello | Practice 3 greetings + one “nice to meet you” style line. Use a mirror. You’re the audience. |
| 3 | What’s Your Name? Introduce Yourself | Write a 2-line self-intro using “我叫…” + one extra detail. Read it aloud 5 times. |
| 4 | Where Are You From? How Are You? | Answer both questions out loud. Then ask them back. (Half of conversation is just… returning the question.) |
| 5 | Thank You / You’re Welcome I’m Sorry | Make 4 mini-dialogues: “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” “Sorry.” “No problem.” Say each twice. |
| 6 | Basic Questions How To Ask Questions | Pick 5 questions. Write your answers. Speak them. Swap one word each time (name / country / drink). |
| 7 | Where Is The Toilet? Useful Commands | Roleplay: ask for the toilet + one direction request. Bonus: practice “請問…” like it’s your superpower. |
| 8 | Numbers Tell Time | Say numbers 1–20 out loud. Then say 3 times (like 3:10, 6:30, 9:45). Keep it simple. |
| 9 | Days Of The Week What Day Is It? | Ask and answer “What day is it?” for today + tomorrow + your favorite day. Repeat until smooth. |
| 10 | Months Of The Year Write The Date | Write today’s date in Traditional Chinese. Then write your birthday. Say both out loud. |
| 11 | Order Coffee Drinks Vocabulary | Make a “my order” script (one drink + one size). Practice like you’re at the counter. |
| 12 | I Like / I Don’t Like Chinese Food Vocabulary | Say 3 things you like + 1 thing you don’t. (Be polite. Or at least… try.) |
| 13 | Traditional Chinese Word Order Measure Words | Take 5 nouns you know and add a number + measure word pattern. You’re building real sentences now. |
| 14 | Conversational Traditional Chinese Essential Phrases | Do a 60-second “mini conversation” using greetings + name + where from + thanks. Repeat once faster. |
If you finish Day 14 and want a clear next step: choose Vocabulary (more words), Grammar (more patterns), or Phrases (more ready-to-use lines). Those hubs are below.
The Start Pack (10–15 Handpicked Posts)
If you only bookmark one list, make it this one. These posts cover pronunciation, survival conversation, dates/time, and the “how do I actually type this?” essentials.
Prefer a “phrases first” approach? Add Essential Traditional Chinese Phrases and you’re basically unstoppable.
Pick Your Next Focus
Once the survival basics feel comfortable, choose one track for the next couple weeks. You’ll progress faster (and feel less scattered).
Vocabulary
Build the words you actually need (food, travel, daily life, work, hobbies).
Grammar
Learn the patterns that turn words into real sentences (word order, measure words, particles, comparisons).
Phrases
More ready-to-use lines for real life (greetings, travel, texting, polite small talk, daily routines).
Culture And Fun
Idioms, slang, holidays, jokes, tongue twisters, and the stuff that makes Chinese feel alive.
Resources
Apps, typing guides, dictionaries, TOCFL study help, and “what should I use?” answers.
Fast FAQs (Because Your Brain Is Already Asking)
Should I Learn Characters First Or Speaking First?
Do both—but start with speaking + pinyin/tones so you can actually use what you learn. Then add characters gradually through the posts you read. Daily tiny exposure beats “one giant character study day.”
How Much Should I Study Per Day?
15–25 minutes is enough if you repeat. Your real job is consistency: read a post, say the examples out loud, and reuse the same phrases in mini dialogues.
What If I’m Learning Taiwan Mandarin?
You’re in the right place. Traditional characters are standard in Taiwan, and we include Taiwan-friendly options like Zhuyin/Bopomofo and practical daily language.
Final Yak Box: Your “Don’t Overthink It” Rule
Pick one tiny set (like the Survival Phrase Kit), repeat it daily, and add only a few new items per week. That’s how you get confident fast—without the “I learned 300 words and can’t say a sentence” problem.
Now choose your next click: either start Day 1, or go straight to the Start Pack and begin reading.