How long does it take to learn Chinese?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the time it takes to learn Chinese, considering various factors such as study habits, learning environments, and personal motivation. Participants explore the challenges of learning the language and share personal anecdotes related to their experiences or observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the duration to learn Chinese varies significantly based on the individual's learning approach.
  • Another participant emphasizes the difficulty of the Chinese language, even from the perspective of a native speaker.
  • A question is raised about the distinction between learning enough Chinese to get by versus achieving native-like proficiency.
  • One participant humorously responds to the question of duration with "42," indicating a playful or non-serious approach to the inquiry.
  • Anecdotal evidence is shared about a Swedish individual who learned Chinese in three years, highlighting that personal circumstances and immersion can greatly influence learning speed.
  • Another participant mentions that being immersed in a Chinese-speaking environment can accelerate the learning process compared to a fixed study schedule.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the time required to learn Chinese, as multiple competing views and personal experiences are presented, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific definitions of proficiency levels and the variability in individual learning experiences, which may affect the perceived time required to learn the language.

timpani
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If a person study one hour per day, how long does it take to learn it?
 
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That depends on how you learn it... To be honest, Chinese is one of the most difficult language, even viewed from me such a Chinese-native...
 
Enough to get by, or like a native?

Not that I know the answer, but it makes a big difference.
 
timpani said:
If a person study one hour per day, how long does it take to learn it?
42.
 
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I knew someone from Sweden who learned Chinese within 3 years, he had ADHD and said he spent an abnormal amount of time studying it, almost like an obsession. I am not sure what skill level he has, but he has no problem speaking / writing it and gets by in China. So I guess it depends on how much you want to learn it? If you are thrown out into a village in China, you will learn it much faster than say studying it for an hour a day :P
 

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