HSK - Chinese Language Proficiency Exam
Anyone who has ever started to learn Chinese, sooner or later comes across this simple abbreviation. What is behind these letters? When it becomes clear to us why we began to learn Chinese, these letters take on a very real meaning. And it happens that our life begins to revolve around them: "Where can I find preparation courses for HSK?", "And what is your HSK level?"
HSK is a state examination for knowledge of the Chinese language for foreigners (as well as for national minorities of the PRC, Chinese huaqiao immigrants, etc.). This abbreviation stands for the Chinese name of the exam - Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, sounds like Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. Simply put, this is an attempt to bring our knowledge of the Chinese language to the same denominator with other Sinologists around the world.
The HSK Chinese language assessment can be useful for:
- admission to a university - at the moment, all universities in China adhere to the HSK results when recruiting students for training in their specialty;
- job searches. HSK has been around for almost twenty years - many of the former Chinese translators are now directors and department heads. For them, HSK is not an empty phrase, but an opportunity to objectively assess your level of Chinese.
- to assess your level: your strengths and weaknesses - writing, listening, speaking, presentation. HSK is the most standardized and close to objectivity way to find out your language level.
- so that teachers can assess the knowledge of students in teaching;
The insert itself indicating the points earned - Score Report or ChengJiDan - is valid for two years. This is the amount of time HSK will be accepted by the university upon admission. For the same time, your result is stored in the HSK results database - and it will be easy to restore it if lost. Well, the HSK certificate itself (HSK ZhengShu), in which not points are written, but the general level, is valid without a time limit.
The tests of the new HSK (let's call it that for now) are now taken in two equivalent versions - written and oral. The written exam assumes separate testing in one of six degrees: 1st-2nd degree is the initial level, 3-4 is the intermediate level, 5-6 is the highest.
Oral exams are divided into only 3 levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced. At the same time, the total passing score of each test (oral or written, for each individual degree) is 180 points, that is, if the student scored less, then you will have to try again.
There is an inconvenience in this form of HSK - the test taker should already decide upon registration to what degree of what level he will pass. Nevertheless, despite the seeming complexity of the new form of the exam, it greatly simplifies the life of the students passing it: written and oral exams are independent of each other. This means not only that the oral and written parts are paid separately, but also that you can pass only the written part, and not the oral part, and vice versa. What is so good about it? According to the reviews of those who have already experienced this for themselves, this approach significantly saves the effort spent on preparation, and, of course, money, too.
A very short Chinese-Russian phrasebook
Here we give the minimum set of words that a tourist needs to communicate in China at the very basic level. We deliberately do not use the Russian transcription of Palladium, because it greatly distorts the real sounding of syllables, instead we boldly write a translation as close to reality as possible according to the principle "as it is heard, it is written."
Note: for the correct display of characters, you must have Chinese language support installed in your browser.
| Hieroglyph |
Value |
Transcription |
Pronunciation |
| 你好 再见 谢谢 请 中国 俄罗斯 不要 多少 好 不好 户照 北京 莫斯科 钱 行李 火车 飞机 饭店 出租汽车 一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十 我 我的 你 你的 他 他的 买 这个 给 |
hello bye thanks you are welcome China Russia no need, no need how? ok good bad, does not fit passport Beijing Moscow money luggage train aircraft a restaurant Taxi one two three four five six seven eight nine ten I my, my you you your he him buy this, this to give |
ni hao zai jian xie xie qing zhong guo e luo si bu yao duo shao hao bu hao hu zhao bei jing mo si ke qian xing li huo che fei ji fan dian chu zu qi che yi er san si wu liu qi ba jiu shi wo wo de ni ni de ta ta de mai zhe ge gei |
no hao jai jien behold rank Zhongguo elos pu yao Tuo Shao hao poo hao hu zhao pei jing mosykhe chien xing li huo chae Fei Ji fan dien chu zu chi chhe and er san sy woo liu chi na jiu shi in in de nor no de tha tha dae May zhe ge kay |
The languages \u200b\u200bof the peoples of the East are on the list of the most difficult to understand. Those who decide to learn Chinese from scratch on their own will have to face difficulties, since there is nothing in common with the Russian language - they belong to different language families. But for someone who is burning with an idea and full of desire, there is nothing impossible, especially since a large number of books, websites and tutorials are in the public domain.
What do you need to know if you want to learn Chinese from scratch?
Each person who decides to devote his time to this language, it is advisable to become familiar with its structure and features. For this purpose, theoretical or video materials in the form of a training film are suitable. The method of learning it differs little from any other language.
According to the rules, mastering a new language is the implementation of all 4 types of speech activity. Added to this is the knowledge of grammar, which allows you to competently build sentences in oral speech. Those who decide to learn Chinese will have to face the following aspects of this language:
- writing system;
- phonetics;
- dialectology;
- transcription scheme.
It is important to focus on developing speaking skills - this is the key to mastering any language.
Hieroglyphs
The first distinctive feature of Chinese is the absence and, therefore, of letters. They act as writing in it. The difference between them is that each letter of the alphabet denotes a sound and is not a meaning-forming unit, only if it is not part of a syllable. Hieroglyphs, on the other hand, did not initially denote sounds, but only reflected meaning.
Their number in the Chinese language is immense - the latest editions of the dictionary contain about 90,000 hieroglyphs. But this does not mean that you need to know all of them: not all native speakers have such extensive knowledge. Residents of villages and suburbs know on average from 1500 to 2000, urban employees - up to 3 thousand characters. It is enough for a beginner to know 1500-2000 for normal communication on everyday topics.
Sounds
The main aspect of the phonetic structure of the Chinese language is its tone. There are 4 main ones, an additional 5th is neutral. A special transcription helps to master pronunciation, where words are written in Latin. But there is a difference in pronunciation between the original.
A common man in the street and a beginner in the Chinese language is generally surprised by the presence of a tone system and makes them doubt their abilities. Due to the similarity in pronunciation, a lot of homophones have arisen - words that are identical in sound. For an outsider and a beginner, all 4 intonations do not differ by ear.
Chinese language keys:
- 1st tone
Pronounced slowly and lingeringly, the melody is high. Creates the impression of an incomplete phrase.
- 2nd tone
The intonation during articulation rises from medium to high, as when questioning or asking again.
- 3rd tone
At first, the tone of the phrase decreases, and then rises sharply to an average level and resembles an emotion of bewilderment.
- 4th tone
The direction of intonation is falling, with notes of an imperative mood.
- 5th, neutral tone
Pronounced with ease and falls on the end of the word and unstressed vowels.
If you plan to start learning the Chinese language, then it is advisable to pay special attention to the phonetic aspect: listen to live speech on recordings, find native speakers for communication, record yourself on a dictaphone and correct mistakes.
Grammar
There is little like the grammar of the Russian language here, there are no conjugations, cases and moods. But the order of words in sentences is strictly conditioned and their places cannot be changed.
Sometimes it is difficult to grasp the difference in tenses, although there are only 2 of them. The immutability of words is compensated by a large number of affixes and function words, and some of them change their belonging to the parts of speech.
Dialects
It is normal for changed versions of the same language to exist within a country. But in China, it has taken on such a turn that residents of remote areas can hardly understand each other's speech. In the northern regions the language is similar, but in the south of the country each village has its own dialect.
This situation is slightly simplified by hieroglyphs, due to the semantic function. Due to the language problem, the state approved the official version of the language - Mandarin, based on the Beijing dialect.
Pinyin
Learning a language at home is impossible without knowledge of transcription - Pinyin. This system is accepted by all countries of the world and is official. All hieroglyphs with it are indicated in Latin letters, in some versions the tone is also recorded and there is voice acting by native speakers. At the initial stages, it is impossible to do without it.
How to learn Chinese from scratch on your own?
If it is not possible to attend language courses, then it is quite possible to master the language at home. For lessons to be effective, the following principles should be understood:
Regularity of classes. It is advisable to contact the language every day or at least every other day. But this does not mean that you need to sit for 2-3 hours. To effectively learn a new language, a lesson of 60 minutes is enough. An important role is played by diligence, perseverance on the way to your goal. Difficulties don't have to discourage the desire to learn.
It is necessary to draw up a lesson plan. You should not try to learn everything quickly, it is not known how long the process will take in each case. You will be able to speak the language normally no earlier than in 1-2 years.
Textbooks and teaching aids are indispensable for successful learning at home.
Self-study language
Previously, this concept meant only paper editions. But for a complete immersion in the sphere of the language, they are not enough, so it is advisable to use additional self-study guides from the following groups:
- Video courses on Youtube and other portals.
- Chinese language websites that provide free text information, exercises and audio.
- Theoretical textbooks in Russian "Learning Chinese from scratch", "Self-study guide for beginners".
You can also install applications on your phone and start classes at any time.
Difficulties in learning
For a Russian-speaking person, acquaintance with a new, different from their native language can be difficult. The first snag arises in understanding the hieroglyphs.
The second factor is pronunciation. If in another language, incorrect pronunciation does not cause problems with understanding in a native speaker, then in Chinese everything is different - the interlocutor may simply understand the person incorrectly. An accidental change in intonation is a distortion of the meaning of the statement.
Testing for beginners as a form of learning
This way of checking knowledge really helps students to remember the material faster. Most tutorials contain a test after each topic covered. It allows you to test and form the following skills:
- recognition of hieroglyphs and their meaning;
- memorizing the appearance of signs;
- distinguishing them by ear when supplementing the test with audio recording.
Those who have learned the basics of the language and have been studying it for at least 1 year recommend passing the state exam in the form of a test - HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi). It is designed for different levels of knowledge and has 6 difficulty options.
Chinese for kids
Teaching a child foreign languages \u200b\u200bfrom an early age is the right decision, because their brain develops and is open to new information. It is easier for them to understand and remember the correct pronunciation of hieroglyphs, their spelling and principles of constructing structures. Classes should last as long as the kid himself wants, no more than 30 minutes.
The key factor is interest, which is fueled by the following forms of education:
- Playroom - classes with cards, children's videos. The work involves figurative thinking and memorization is faster.
- Self-instruction manuals, where a minimum of information is given in an interesting form for a child.
It is not necessary to send children to schools, you can study quite calmly at home. At this age, there is no need to force to quickly understand a large amount of information.
Study programs
With the advancement of technology, it has become easy to learn Chinese without going to school or doing the long and arduous exercises from textbooks. Portable software comes to the rescue.
It was originally launched as a simple website in 2005. Gradually began to expand and fill with material, mobile applications were created. It contains a large number of audio and video recordings of Chinese speech, grammar lessons, dialogues with comments and explanations.
ABCs of Chinese
This service is designed to study hieroglyphs using the method of cards, which on one side shows the outline of the sign, and on the other - an explanation. The peculiarity of this site is that the tasks are aimed at drawing attention to hidden images and guessing the meaning with the help of them.
Pleco
The best free electronic dictionary for all operating systems. The hieroglyph can be drawn independently or found in the list and the dictionary will display all meanings and example sentences. For each character, a drawing scheme is shown, which allows you to learn how to draw them correctly. The function of instant translation from the camera works.
Nciku
Online dictionary with examples of the use of words. An alternative to the Pleco service, only on a computer. Each hieroglyph is shown in context to help distinguish between uses.
Anki
It is analogous to ABCs of Chinese. Material for memorization is given on cards. The advantage is that the system analyzes the user's responses and determines those with the most errors. They are shown more often the next time you practice. In your personal account, you create your own sets, in addition, you can add a picture for each hieroglyph - this makes recognition easier. The perfect Chinese learning system for beginners.
Language Exchange
This is a kind of chat between native speakers and those who are just learning. It is easy to participate in it - you need to enter "language exchange" in the search bar on Facebook or another social network and find your interlocutors. You can find special services dedicated to live communication.
TV shows and films
This step is only suitable for those who have already learned the basics and can easily recognize speech by ear. Any talk shows, films, children's cartoons are suitable for viewing. It is not necessary to always understand all the phrases said, it is important to grasp the general meaning and accustom your ear to speech.
Perapera
It is a web browser extension that allows you to translate words and phrases without copying them into the translator. This saves time and allows you to read articles, blogs, newspapers and use Chinese websites.
Conclusion
After a detailed acquaintance with the system and language features, the question "How to learn Chinese?" no longer seems so complicated and confusing. It is important to give yourself motivation, plan your classes correctly and pick up material that is full on the Internet. Learning to speak Chinese without taking courses is a matter of time.
Hello. Today I want to discuss a topic that I think will be interesting for those who are learning or just thinking about learning Chinese. The question of where to start learning Chinese, I think, worries many, so I decided to draw up a small plan of actions that should be guided at the initial stage of the study.
The first is teaching materials or books
My first book was "Basic Chinese Language Course" Sucked by Huang Shuying, which I bought from an online store. Naturally, before buying, I downloaded its electronic version from the Internet, but, to be honest, I quickly changed my mind and decided to buy its paper version. Firstly, I like paper books more, and secondly, I noticed that it is easier for me to memorize and assimilate material that was obtained from a regular book than from an electronic one.
The second is to get to know the pronunciation
Fourth - communication or feedback
In order to understand in which direction you are moving, you need conversational practice, without it it is impossible to learn Chinese. Having learned a couple of words and phrases in English, we can be sure that by pronouncing them somewhere in an English-speaking country, in most cases, I will understand. The opposite is true for Chinese. We can never be sure that we have learned a particular Chinese word correctly until we pronounce it and receive feedback from a native speaker.
Naturally, not all of us have the opportunity to go to China or Taiwan and learn the language there, but with the help of the Internet we can easily solve this issue. There are many sites on the network that provide an opportunity to find people who are interested in language exchange. That is, you can quite easily find a person online who would teach you Chinese for free, in exchange for your Russian. One of the most popular sites that provides this feature is italki.com.
P.S.Before starting your studies, ask yourself the question: "Why or why do I want to learn Chinese?"
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The Chinese language is considered one of the most difficult in the world and for good reason: its writing and phonetics are fundamentally different from those we are used to. Before daring to learn such a complex language, it is worth learning about the pitfalls along the way. We learned from Yaroslava Meshcheryakova, director and senior teacher orientalist Chinese language schools , in what Chinese is easier than Russian, how many hieroglyphs you need to learn to read newspapers and how long you have to study.
Where to start learning
In classical Soviet textbooks, they began to learn Chinese from phonetics and words suitable for it.
Children's textbooks start with simple phrases and dialogues.
Some methods are based on the study of the simplest hieroglyphs.
None of these systems are perfect, as simple hieroglyphs do not always represent the most commonly used words. For example, the hieroglyphs "sun", "earth", "water" are difficult to immediately start using in speech. The most common phrases: "goodbye" - "zaizen" are not so easy to pronounce. The most important hieroglyphs: "ni hao" - "hello" are difficult to write.
Modern Chinese textbooks and most teachers give material in proportions that include all aspects of the language and maintain the interest of students: first, the most common phrases are studied, phonetics is passed from simple tones to complex ones, the study of hieroglyphs is based on the principle from simple and memorable to those that are used most often.
How the Chinese language differs from Russian
The Russian language is very difficult in terms of grammar: it has a large number of cases, declensions, conjugations, changes in gender and numbers. The Russian language establishes connections within sentences between almost all words. In the phrases "white dog" and "no white dog" - a change in one word entails a change in another.
In Russian, we can swap words in places without losing the meaning: “I went to the library yesterday”, “I went to the library yesterday”, “I went to the library yesterday”. The accents may change, but the meaning remains.
For some words, we need to learn all possible forms, because they change beyond recognition: "I - me - me", "I go - I went - I will go."
Chinese is an isolating language, at least its written form. Strictly speaking, there are no genders, numbers, cases, tenses, and even strictly fixed parts of speech in it. The native speakers themselves assure that they do not have grammar at all, it is enough to learn individual words and their order in the sentence.
It turns out that the grammar of the Russian language is more complicated than that of the Chinese.
In my opinion, the phonetics of the Chinese language is quite simple, especially for a Russian-speaking person. The pronunciation setting is completely dependent on the first teacher: a good Russian-speaking teacher can teach you to pronounce the sounds of the Chinese language correctly and clearly in a relatively short time. Chinese teachers usually cannot correctly explain with the help of what "instruments" the sound is pronounced, and rejoice at little, praise for any student's attempt to say at least something.
The hardest part about Chinese
Hieroglyphics - in itself, it is interesting, but it often becomes a reason for the loss of motivation for learning a language. It can take a week to memorize one hieroglyph. The term of studying the language is stretched, the student does not get satisfaction from the "instant" mastery of it and throws everything halfway.
Differences between written and spoken language - there are such differences in any language, but in Chinese everything is complicated due to the use of different characters in different styles, a large difference in wording, which makes it difficult to read texts even on familiar topics.
Tones - Chinese is tonal, it is not so difficult to remember the pronunciation of a sound, but you have to work hard on the correct intonation.
Phonetics - depends on the first teacher, it is usually difficult to relearn.
Speech speed - the difficulty arises when communicating with native speakers, they adhere to a strange rule: if you are not understood, repeat faster.
Simplest in Chinese
Grammar - because the most important thing in a language is the correct word order.
The consistency of the language - in the modern spoken language, which has been formed over the past 100 years, disyllabic words were formed from monosyllabic ones. For example, due to the combination of a feature and an object: "flying car" is an airplane, "electronic brains" is a computer, "a road in the shape of a cross" (note the shape of the hieroglyph 十) is an intersection.
Is it difficult to learn hieroglyphs
Hieroglyphs have a huge history of both use and appearance. In different periods, the "inventors" of hieroglyphs used different logic when creating them.
The very first were hieroglyphs-pictures (pictograms), they outwardly imitated what a person saw in nature or everyday life. An example of such hieroglyphs:
木 - tree;
日 - the sun;
鸟 is a bird.
Then hieroglyphs-icons (ideograms) appeared, which denoted abstract concepts: happiness, love.
An example of such a hieroglyph:
心 - heart, soul.
After the main hieroglyphs, which are called "keys", were formed, they began to be connected together to denote new concepts:
林 - two trees together mean “forest”;
明 - hieroglyphs sun and moon together mean "light, bright";
怕 - hieroglyphs heart and white in combination give the concept of "white heart" in the meaning of "fear".
In some cases, we come across keys that suggest the reading of a hieroglyph, that is, the entire hieroglyph will be read in the same way as this key or in a similar way.
There are also clues that suggest the meaning of the hieroglyph: the tree indicates that the hieroglyph refers to some plant or wooden object.
How many hieroglyphs do you need to know
In total, the Chinese language has more than 90 thousand hieroglyphs according to modern dictionaries, but such a number is simply impossible to learn. With knowledge of 2 thousand, you will already be able to parse articles on topics of interest.
How long does it take to learn the language
You can prepare for the first level of the HSK international Chinese language exam in six months of regular classes.
Will this knowledge be enough for you in China? Most likely no.
After 10 years of hard work, will you be able to speak and translate from Chinese without looking into a dictionary? No.
But the Chinese themselves constantly forget the hieroglyphs, they may not understand each other, they use dictionaries.
In Chinese, the intermediate level of language proficiency is too long. With him you can talk and even read and translate a little. But you will never be able to fully master the language, even as a Chinese, so you should set yourself an adequate goal and constantly continue to learn the language.
Is it possible to learn Chinese on your own
It is possible, if all the necessary materials for the study are recommended to you by a great specialist in this matter. There are a huge number of textbooks, manuals, videos, articles, every day there are pages on social networks with free Chinese courses, but it's too easy to get to neophytes. Look for the advice of professionals, or better find a good teacher: first a Russian-speaking, then a native speaker, and use all the accompanying materials at home to consolidate the material.
Find Chinese courses online and in your city