Learning Chinese from zero: a plan for the first 30 days
Starting Chinese is easier with a clear plan and a small daily habit. This one takes 10–15 minutes a day and, if you keep the pace, takes you through the HSK 1 word list in a month.
Updated:
Days 1–7: sounds and tones
- Learn how pinyin works: initials (b, p, m, f…), finals (a, o, e, ai, ang…) and the four tones.
- Read Chinese tones and practise saying mā, má, mǎ, mà out loud.
- Start with 5 new words a day and listen to each one several times.
Days 8–21: new words every day
- Go up to 10 new words a day from HSK level 1 — the app gives them to you in order.
- Do your reviews first: the app brings each word back just before you would forget it.
- Write the characters of your new words in stroke order (the rules).
Days 22–30: listening and review
- Keep listening questions on: hear a word, choose its characters.
- Read the example sentences on each word’s page.
- Keep your streak: a short session every day beats a long one once a week.
After 30 days
At 10 words a day you will have met all 294 words of HSK (2025) level 1, with their tones, meanings and characters — the base every next level builds on. Which HSK list?
Three tips
- Turn on a daily reminder (Me → Settings) so the habit sticks.
- Learn with a friend: the weekly friends board makes skipping a day harder.
- Don’t chase perfection: a word you miss simply comes back sooner.