Effective Practice Methods for Chinese

Practice is essential for learning Chinese and helps reinforce knowledge, hone skills, and track progress.
Building a strong vocabulary foundation is crucial for all language skills.
Mochi Chinese offers 100 essential Chinese words categorized into 10 diverse themes.
Mochi Chinese also provides 5,000 words categorized by HSK levels (HSK 1 to HSK 6).
Learning through flashcards, audio and visual aids makes memorization easier.
Mochi Chinese uses the scientifically proven spaced repetition method for effective memory retention.
Other helpful features offered by Mochi Chinese include: Chinese dialogue practice, daily habit tracking through the “Plant Care” feature, and standardized Chinese character writing practice.

Basic Chinese Grammar
S + 是 + O (S + shì + O): This is the basic structure for "to be".
Example: 我是学生 (Wǒ shì xuéshēng) - I am a student.
S + 在 + Location (S + zài + Location): This structure is for "to be at".
Example: 我在学校 (Wǒ zài xuéxiào) - I am at school.
S + 有 + Noun (S + yǒu + Noun): This structure is for "to have".
Example: 我有一只猫 (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī māo) - I have a cat.

Intermediate Chinese Grammar

S + 想 + Verb (S + xiǎng + Verb): This structure indicates "to want to".
- Example: 我想吃饭 (Wǒ xiǎng chī fàn) - I want to eat.
S + 可以 + Verb (S + kěyǐ + Verb): This structure means "to be able to" or "to be allowed to".
Example: 你可以走了 (Nǐ kěyǐ zǒu le) - You can go now.
S + 因为 + Clause 1, 所以 + Clause 2 (S + yīnwèi + Clause 1, suǒyǐ + Clause 2): This structure expresses cause and effect, meaning "because... therefore".
- Example: 因为下雨了，所以我没去 (Yīnwèi xià yǔ le, suǒyǐ wǒ méi qù) - Because it rained, I didn't go.

Advanced Chinese Grammar:

S + 正在 + Verb (S + zhèngzài + Verb): This structure signifies "to be currently doing something" or "to be in the process of".
- Example: 他正在写作业 (Tā zhèngzài xiě zuòyè) - He is currently doing his homework.
S + 以后 + Verb (S + yǐhòu + Verb): This structure refers to an action happening "afterwards" or "later".
- Example: 放学以后我去图书馆 (Fàngxué yǐhòu wǒ qù túshūguǎn) - After school, I go to the library.
S + 一边 + Verb 1, 一边 + Verb 2 (S + yībiān + Verb 1, yībiān + Verb 2): This structure explains simultaneous actions, meaning "doing Verb 1 while doing Verb 2".
- Example: 我一边听音乐一边做作业 (Wǒ yībiān tīng yīnyuè yībiān zuò zuòyè) - I listen music while doing homework.
S + 从 + Place 1 + 到 + Place 2 (S + cóng + Place 1 + dào + Place 2): This structure shows movement "from one place to another".
- Example: 我从家到学校 (Wǒ cóng jiā dào xuéxiào) - I go from home to school.
S + 不仅 + Verb 1, 而且 + Verb 2 (S + bùjǐn + Verb 1, érqiě + Verb 2): This structure emphasizes "not only... but also".
- Example: 她不仅聪明而且勤奋 (Tā bùjǐn cōngmíng érqiě qínfèn) - She is not only smart, but also hard-working.
S + 一方面 + Verb 1, 另一方面 + Verb 2 (S + yī fāngmiàn + Verb 1, lìng yī fāngmiàn + Verb 2): This structure indicates two contrasting aspects.
- Example: 我一方面学习，另一方面也工作 (Wǒ yī fāngmiàn xuéxí, lìng yī fāngmiàn yě gōngzuò) - I study on the one hand, and also work on the other hand.

Advanced Chinese Grammar:

S + 虽然 + Clause 1, 但是 + Clause 2 (S + suīrán + Clause 1, dànshì + Clause 2): This structure introduces a contrast meaning "although... but".
- Example: 虽然天气不好，但是我们还是去爬山了 (Suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù páshān le) - Although the weather was bad, we went hiking anyway.
S + 既然 + Clause 1, 就 + Clause 2 (S + jìrán + Clause 1, jiù + Clause 2): This structure expresses a consequence, meaning "since... then".
- Example: 既然你不喜欢，就不要去了 (Jìrán nǐ bù xǐhuān, jiù bù yào qù le) - Since you don't like it, then don't go.
S + 不但 + Verb 1, 而且 + Verb 2 (S + bùdàn + Verb 1, érqiě + Verb 2): This structure highlights multiple positive attributes, meaning "not only... but also".
Example: 他不但会说汉语，而且会说英语 (Tā bùdàn huì shuō Hànyǔ, érqiě huì shuō Yīngyǔ) - He can not only speak Chinese, but also English.
S + 尽管 + Clause 1, 还是 + Clause 2 (S + jǐnguǎn + Clause 1, háishì + Clause 2): This structure expresses determination "although... still".
- Example: 尽管遇到很多困难，我们还是坚持下来了 (Jǐnguǎn yù dào hěnduō kùnnán, wǒmen háishì jiānchí xiàlai le) - Although we faced many difficulties, we still persevered.
S + 即使 + Clause 1, 也 + Clause 2 (S + jíshǐ + Clause 1, yě + Clause 2): This structure indicates a situation despite a challenge meaning "even if... still".
- Example: 即使很累，我们也要完成任务 (Jíshǐ hěn lèi, wǒmen yě yào wánchéng rènwu) - Even if we are very tired, we must complete the task.

Learning Chinese

Learning Chinese can be challenging, but it offers many opportunities for education, work, and life.
To be successful, you need persistence and effective study methods.

Tips for Learning Chinese

Vocabulary:
- You need a strong vocabulary foundation for all language skills
- Mochi Chinese offers 100 essential Chinese words divided into 10 categories, and 5000 words organized by HSK level (from HSK 1 to HSK 6)
- Flashcards, audio, and visuals make learning engaging and enjoyable.
- Mochi Chinese uses spaced repetition to help you remember words more effectively.
Grammar
- Grammar forms the backbone of any language. Understanding and mastering basic grammar enables effective and accurate language use.
- HSK 1:
  - Simple sentence structures like "S + 是 + O", "S + 在 + Place", and "S + 有 + Noun"
- HSK 2:
  - Structures like "S + 想 + Verb", "S + 可以 + Verb", and "S + 因为 + Clause 1, 所以 + Clause 2"
- HSK 3:
  - Structures like "S + 正在 + Verb", "S + 以后 + Verb", and "S + 一边 + Verb 1, 一边 + Verb 2"
- HSK 4:
  - Structures like "S + 从 + Place 1 + 到 + Place 2", "S + 不仅 + Verb 1, 而且 + Verb 2", and "S + 一方面 + Verb 1, 另一方面 + Verb 2"
- HSK 5:
  - Structures like "S + 虽然 + Clause 1, 但是 + Clause 2", "S + 既然 + Clause 1, 就 + Clause 2", and "S + 不但 + Verb 1, 而且 + Verb 2"
- HSK 6:
  - Structures like "S + 尽管 + Clause 1, 还是 + Clause 2", and "S + 即使 + Clause 1, 也 + Clause 2"

Practice

Doing exercises is crucial for reinforcing knowledge, practicing skills, and tracking progress.
Mochi Chinese provides various learning features, including:
- Conversational practice
- Daily learning habit tracking
- Standard handwritten character practice.
- Aim for a 1000-word vocabulary in a month by utilizing all the resources offered.