this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2023
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I've been doing the duolingo course for a while but I don't really have anywhere to use the language.
I learned English mostly by reading, but translating Chinese words is so hard. The only way to figure out the meaning of a word is to copy paste it. I can't type it somewhere else at the side to check the meaning.
你好。这是什么我可以说。 At least for now. I hope that's at leat a little intelligible. :D
How to build vocabulary from reading Chinese? What kind of material should I be trying to read? Where can I find it?
Thank you all in advance!
Hey I can tell you're translating individual words because that's an English sentence with English grammar translated to Chinese word by word. My recommendation would be another app rather than Duolingo. Try Hello Chinese or Super Chinese. Unfortunately you might have to accept that your language level isn't advanced enough to make the sentences you want to make. You have to walk before you can run. Just take your time working through some more grammar and vocabulary. ChatGPT is actually a pretty good tutor as well tbh.
I'll give them a try. :)
I learned most of my characters at the beginning using either Tofu https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tofulearn.tofulearn or HelloChinese https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hellochinese
I will say I'm happy with duolingo, that's not my issue. I think my main issue is if I want to go to a news website and check news. I can understand the structure, a bit. But none of the actual subject of the matter.
I think the dictionary apps will probably help, though!
Thanks for your suggestions!
Have you tried the ZhongWen pop up dictionary plugin? It pulls content from MDBG so it's pretty decent.
News is extremely advanced language with so many specific, technical vocabulary. I don't know why you expect that you'll be able to understand it, and I'd suggest reading while looking up every word in the dictionary is not a great use of your time. I've been studying for years and I don't even try to read native Chinese news. It's definitely something I aspire to be able to do but everything at the right time.
It's not something I expect to be able to do, but something I aspire to do. I think I've been studying for long enough to understand a bit of the grammatical structures, but I need more repertoire, content and vocabulary.
I think China is doing very interesting movements in international politics, and it would be cool to read at least headlines from a Chinese source and perspective.
Yeah China has pretty good English language outreach. I recommend CGTN, in particular their youtube channel has some excellent content. There's a number of other official news outlets like Xinhua, ECNS too.