I've heard that Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn. Despite that, I want to learn it. I have no idea where to start, and how to start. Do you have any recommendations on books about learning Chinese? Software? CDs? Anything? Where should I start, I suppose, is the fundamental question.

So I’m starting to learn Mandarin and I have noticed that when I look up words on my iPod Mandarin dictionary, that there are multiple words in Mandarin for one word in English. Like for run, there is pa3o and zo3u. Like how do I know which is the correct term to use? And could you guys give me some basic vocab or point a site that does give out a list. I know words like this, that, love, fart, and stuff like that

Do you know a good program to learn Mandarin Chinese?, i am a beginner, so i know anything about chinese. I've heard of Rosetta Stone, and one that begins with P..., i don't remember the name. I tried Eurotalk, but the software was crappy, really it looks like made by a 4 year old. I am looking for an interactive one, that can help me learn writing, speaking and listening. I also want one that looks Professional or so. If you know really really good webpages, i grant you best answer! Thanks!

Could someone tell me any/all mandarin chinese phrases that are used in Chinese conversation everyday/daily? And if you can list the characters!

can anyone give me the best way to learn chinese?Thank you !

I am using Rossetta stone and the pinyin setting is not that difficult but simplified Chinese characters are difficult. Are there any tricks to learning simplified Chinese characters, I find it difficult that I can't see any patterns in it?

My friend learned 20 Chinese characters in 1 hour. 5 hours later he still can recite them, read them, and write them really fast. Does this make him a genius?

I've been taking Chinese with a tutor 1 hour and a half a week for about 3 months I know the basics and now I'm learning the characters. How long will it take me to speak Chinese fluently? I am fifteen.

What is the difference between jia ren and jia li in Chinese? Are they interchangeable? I got this question on an online Chinese test.

Meaning is it points out the criterion for an action. Example: 我这个菜是照着书上的说明做的。 I think it means 'according to' but I am wondering if anyone has a better equivalent in English that I don't know about.

For example: year 2007 er ling ling qi nian or liang qian ling qi nian ? Thank you for explanation

What are the differences between 号 and日? why sometimes when somebody ask time, can be answered with says 现在九点, but also can added with 钟 (刚好九点钟= It's 9 o'clock). ???

I am studying business Mandarin these days. When we answer the phone, what should we say to begin a conversation using proper business Mandarin? In English we say "Hello." Thank you!

pls give free explicating what is a foreigner. there are many worldover.

Mu4 > 目木沐募 Ni3 > 你拟伱柅 how can you use these if they are all in the same tone and sound ? Does it mean that you have to just use them in the right context? Can anyone give some examples of things like this in English to help me understand better? Any links that can help with this will also be greatly appreciated: D thanks ^_^

I've heard that "Never write a letter while you are angry" is commonly referenced as a Chinese proverb. Is there a 4-word 成语 idiom that corresponds to this? Or a 谚语 phrase? How would I actually speak Chinese idiom for it (I don't think it would be a direct translation..?)

Okay, I’ve been learning Chinese for a while and I know for a fact that if I can speak the word I can read the pinyin word. Is it possible to learn Chinese characters and not understand pinyin (Which seems impossible)? Because, if you wrote, "Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jīn tiān zěn yàng?”I’d be able to read that because of the words and because of the accent tones and say, "Hello, how are you today?" Answers please.

I need to find the traditional Chinese characters for “Ruins of Whispers” for cover art for my band. Links would be great, or just the Chinese characters themselves. Thank you so much!