* Chinese Uses Characters, Not an Alphabet: Chinese uses characters, which are symbols representing words or concepts. There's no strict alphabet like in English.
* Different Learning Styles: Some people prefer visual learning, others prefer auditory. Some need more structure, others like more freedom.
* Your Learning Goals: Do you want to learn to read and write, or just to recognize characters? Do you want to learn Mandarin or Cantonese?
Instead of one "best" site, here are some excellent resources tailored to different needs:
For Beginners:
* Memrise: Great for memorizing characters and common phrases with spaced repetition.
* HelloChinese: Offers gamified learning with lessons, pronunciation practice, and interactive exercises.
* ChineseSkill: Comprehensive platform with structured lessons, flashcards, and personalized learning plans.
* Duolingo: Good for starting with basic characters and phrases in a fun way.
For More Advanced Learners:
* Pleco: Excellent dictionary app with character recognition, stroke order, and tons of other features.
* ChinesePod: Offers podcasts, videos, and interactive lessons for all levels.
* Yabla: Provides authentic Chinese videos with subtitles and transcripts, great for immersion.
For Character Learning:
* Chinese Character Dictionary: A comprehensive resource with stroke order diagrams, character breakdowns, and example sentences.
* HanziGrid: A fun way to learn characters through interactive games and practice.
For Pronunciation:
* Forvo: Allows you to hear native speakers pronounce Chinese words and phrases.
Tips:
* Start with Pinyin: Pinyin is the romanization system for Chinese, which helps with pronunciation.
* Focus on Characters: While Pinyin is helpful, ultimately you'll need to learn the characters themselves.
* Practice Writing: Writing characters helps with memorization and understanding their structure.
* Find Resources You Enjoy: Explore different sites and apps until you find ones that fit your learning style and goals.
Learning Chinese takes time and effort, but with the right resources and dedication, you can achieve fluency!