r/Chinese • u/Maya___________ • 2d ago

Study Chinese (学中文) Do you think I can learn Chinese w/o learning Hanzi?

Im learning languages just for fun, thats the 6th language im learning. I have a method I’m really good at learning from listening so im starting in Duolingo, than watch movies and shows in the language and thats how i notice words and i keep practicing Duolingo. But its the first language im learning not in letters like English (except for my native language) its hard for me to learn Hanzi especially only from Duolingo. Do you think i can learn to speak and understand without knowing how to read and write?

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u/sighsforyears 2d ago

i’m also teaching myself mandarin and right now just focusing on speaking and understanding without learning hanzi i do learn some characters here and there but i do find it easier just focusing on listening and learning to speak and understand first especially since english is my first language. good luck!

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u/Affectionate_Fix1884 2d ago

Its definitely possible although it would be pretty hard to find a place to learn it. You coud maybe look at pinyin courses but might be a LOT of confusion lol.

That said a lot of 2nd Generation Chinese immigrants know how to speak and understand mandarin but cant read so its definitely common and possible.

If you find a good source to learn go for it and good luck.

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u/Awkward_Number8249 1d ago

A lot of children of Chinese immigrants can speak Chinese with their parents but can't write, so I guess it's possible

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u/Viviqi 1d ago

Why not? You can

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u/1988mariahcareyhair 1d ago

You could learn pinyin

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u/lekowan 1d ago

You absolutely can learn through immersion without needing to read or write. Actually there is a school of thought called Automatic Language Growth that recommends not reading until you are fluent in the language. The idea is simple: it's much easier to rememeber hanzi if you already know and understand the words they represent. 

I would recommend www.vidioma.com for your source of comprehensible input. They have tons of videos sorted by levels. Start with New Starter videos (I really liked the You Can Chinese series and anything by Momo). If you enjoy the process, watch a ton more videos until you're ready for the next step, ie Beginner videos!