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No, it's not! There are a lot of misconceptions about how difficult it is to learn Mandarin Chinese. Actually it's not that hard, it's very different to what I'm familiar with (alphabet vs characters) which makes it appear an incredibly daunting task at first, but structurally and grammatically it's easy. There are no verb conjugates, for example, and tenses are far easier than learning French or German (and I would imagine, Spanish too). Granted, some aspects are quite difficult, but it's incredibly satisfying to conquer each challenge.
Why not try learning both if you can't decide between them? They are so wildly different and distinct, after all...
0 votedJune 6, 20160- Native speakers love to use the word got! It's actually easier to say "I've got" than it is to say "I have" when you consider the muscle movement of your mouth when you say them both...but meaning generally is the same. I've got a sandwich for lunch = I have a sandwich for lunch. I've got an idea! = I have an idea!0 votedOctober 26, 20150
- Searching for authentic Chinese reading materials I've got lots of graded reader books, now I'm looking for something real that is accessible online and appropriate for someone with HSK4 level Mandarin working towards HSK5. I try news sites in Chinese and manage to comprehend bits, but it yet whole articles. Any other suggestions? 3q*but not yet whole articles.October 23, 2015172
- Consider why you want to learn a language and for what purpose.if your heritage is important to you, surely that answers your own question - learn the language of your heritage. Learning for pleasure, I would chose whichever language I think looks or sounds nicest. As an aside, just because you mentioned it, I am learning Mandarin Chinese and I think there are a lot of misconceptions about how difficult it is. Actually it's not that hard, it's very different to what I'm familiar with seeing (Chinese characters vs ABC's) which makes it appear an incredibly daunting task at first, but structurally and grammatically it's easy. There are no verb conjugates, for example, and tenses are far easier than learning French or German. Granted, some aspects are quite difficult, but it's credibly satisfying to conquer each challenge. Mandarin Chinese is broadly spoken, particularly by the younger generations and it is quite standard. Cantonese is a dialect mostly spoken in and around Guandong, Hong Kong, etc. Whatever language you chose, if you don't enjoy it after giving it a good try then just start another one.0 votedAugust 6, 20150

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