Should I learn Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese? That’s a question posed by just about every aspiring Mandarin learner (or his or her parents). Though it’s a question without a simple, clear-cut answer, it’s one that needs to be answered before you can start learning Mandarin. Sometimes, this decision will be made for you by the school you enroll in or the online course you select.
However, when allowed to make the decision for yourself, you should always take the time to research the implications of learning in either form.
A common question that many ask is, “Why learn Traditional Chinese characters if close to a billion and a half people from China use Simplified Chinese characters?” Of course, if you live in China, you should absolutely learn Simplified Chinese. But often this question is not posed by people living in mainland China and rather by people living outside the country.
Therefore, the answer might not be as clear-cut. Yes, a student living in China should learn Simplified Chinese – but for that outside of China, Traditional Chinese might make just as much sense. Many Chinese restaurants, movies, television shows, and even Chinatowns in places like the United States use Traditional characters in marketing, menus, and even subtitles. Because of this, Traditional characters can be just as helpful for everyday, practical use.
For a long time, Traditional Chinese was the standard in all Chinese-speaking regions. That’s no longer the case. Over time, Simplified Chinese has taken the place of Traditional in many parts of the world. Deciding which one is best for you will depend on how you plan on using your newly acquired language skills and what your personal interests might be. For example, if you’re particularly interested in Chinese culture, then Traditional Chinese might pose another benefit for you there, too. In addition to being practical in many global settings, it also has a rich cultural history.
Don’t let the fear of difficulty worry you or guide your decision, either. Some people believe that Simplified Chinese is easier, and while the characters do have fewer strokes and are easier to write, there are many helpful character links that you might not find in simplified Chinese.
Of course, learning both variations might be an option for you, too. If you have relatives in Singapore or China, you might want to learn Simplified characters so you can communicate with them. However, if you want to chat with relatives in Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, learning Traditional Chinese might make more sense. , there are tools out there that can help you learn both character sets with ease.
One of the very best tools? The Mandarin Reading Club. We’ll provide you with the tools, skills, and resources that you need to acquire both character sets. Not only that, but we offer fun, interactive, and self-guided activities that any student can complete without needing to be prompted or nudged constantly by a tutor. You’ll save time and money by learning Traditional or Simplified Chinese with the Mandarin Reading Club.
