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How to Say ‘I’m Learning Chinese’
Tell people you are studying Mandarin — a friendly opener that makes them slow down for you.
Quick answer
Say 我在学中文 to tell someone you are learning Chinese.
我在学中文。
I’m learning Chinese.
Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
Use it to tell someone you are studying Mandarin. 我学中文 is also correct; 在 adds that it is happening these days
. Most people will speak more slowly after hearing it.
Common mistake
Adding 是 before the verb. 是 links a person to what they are (我是学生); an action like 学 does not need it. With 的 at the end, 我是学中文的 is correct, but it means Chinese is your field of study.
- Not
我是学中文。- Say
- 我在学中文。
Practise aloud
Read each conversation from top to bottom.
我在学中文。 I’m learning Chinese.
我会说一点儿中文。 I can speak a little Chinese.
你的中文很好！ Your Chinese is great!
谢谢，我还在学。 Thank you, I’m still learning.
You’ve got this!
Say it early in a conversation. Once people know you are learning, they slow down, repeat themselves, and often become your teacher for a minute.