3. Learn Basic Vocabulary It doesn't matter what language you are learning, the basic is to learn the vocabularies. More words that you had learned, you will become fluent especially in speaking. But first of all, you need to write it down in your note or your book the vocabularies in English and you can start to translate it in Mandarin.
These are some vocabulary list to start off : times of a day (morning : zǎo shàng, afternoon : xià wǔ, evening : wǎn shàng). Body parts (eyes, nose, mouth, hand, leg, etc). Animals (fish yǔ, cat māo, bird niǎo, etc). You also can start with things that is around you (chair, table, lamp, etc).
But still remember, the intonation have to be accurate in order to get the right meaning.
4. Learn Basic Conversation
After you learn about basic vocabulary, the next step is to combine those vocabulary into sentence / question.
Hello = nǐhǎo
Thank You = xiè xiè
I am not afraid = wǒ bù pà
I love you = wǒ ài nǐ
You can also learn new vocabularies by listening to Mandarin song, read Mandarin books, and watch Mandarin movies. There are many ways to learn Mandarin if you're willing to learn. All of these tips above is just the simple basic about how to learn Mandarin.
The first step in learning Mandarin, you need to have a will to learn. It doesn't matter what ages you are now, as long as you want to know, so it'll be easy for you. Of course there are many Mandarin course out there. Without following course, you also can learn it via online. Make sure you have a Chinese dictionary when you wanted to learn Mandarin. However, with commitment and daily practice, it is certainty possible for you to master Mandarin.
1. Intonation Basic
Practice using intonation tone. Which means that, intonation is the most basic in learning Mandarin. Wrong intonation can leads to change the meaning of the word. Mandarin has 4 tones which is :
First Tone, is the high flat tone. Your voice when you read it stays flat. "mā"
Second Tone, is a rising tone. Your voice rises from low to middle pitch. "má"
Third Tone, is a dipping tone. The pitch goes from middle to low to high. "mǎ"
Fourth Tone, is lowering tone. The pitch goes rapidly from high to low, as if giving a command. "mà"
2. Learn How to Count.
After you learn about the intonation, then the next step is to learn how to count in Mandarin. As in English, counting is also the most simple and basic step that you need to learn in order to learn others vocabulary. Once you have learned the first ten number, you will be able to count to 99.
Below, I'll write number 1 to 10 in Mandarin. Make sure to practice saying each number with the right intonation.
One:written as (一) oryī, pronounced[eee]
Two: written as (二) or èr, pronounced [err]
Three: written as (三) or sān, pronounced [saan]
Four: written as (四) or sì, pronounced [ssih]
Five: written as (五) or wǔ, pronounced [wuu]
Six: written as (六) or liù, pronounced [lee-yo]
Seven: written as (七) or qī, pronounced [chi]
Eight: written as (八) or bā, pronounced [baa]
Nine: written as (九) or jiǔ, pronounced [jee-yo]
Ten: written as (十) or shí, pronounced [sh]
Once you have mastered counting in Mandarin from number 1 to 10, then you can continue to count until 99. I'll give you some example :
48 --> 四十八 or sì shí bā, which means four tens plus eight
62 --> 六十二 or liù shí èr, which means six tens plus two
Seems easy right? Of course it's easy if you learn it everyday. So how about 100 or 1000? How to read that in Mandarin? The word hundred in Mandarin is 百 baǐ, so 100 is yī baǐ （一百), 300 is sān baǐ (三百）, etc.
Otherwise, the word thousand in Mandarin is千 qiān. How to read? It's similar when you read 100 in mandarin. baǐ change to qiān.
