How to improve Chinese in daily life

Whenever you are learning a new skill, it's important to practice as much as possible. If that skill is a new language, you need to apply consistent effort to remember new vocabulary, recognize speech patterns, and absorb grammar and sentence patterns until they become second nature.

当你学习新的技能的时候，勤于练习尤为重要。要是该项技能是一门新语言的话，那你需要一直付出努力去记忆新的词汇、识别言语模式以及吸收语法和句型，直到它们成为你的第二习惯。

If you are living in a country or community where Mandarin is widely spoken, you will have many opportunities to practice your language skills. If, on the other hand, you have few acquaintances who speak Mandarin, you will have to develop your own network of language partners.

如果你住的国家或社区里中文被广泛使用，你就会有许多机会可以训练你的语言能力。另一方面，要是你没认识几个说中文的人，那么，你就得自己去扩展自己的语言伙伴人脉。

Language Exchange 语言交流

It's sometimes possible to find a language exchange partner – someone who might be learning your native language, who will meet with you to chat and offer each other corrections or advice.

有时，找到一个语言交流伙伴还是很可能的，那个人或许正在学习你的母语，你们可以见面聊个天，互相给对方纠正错误和给予建议。

If there is a Chinese community in your city, try visiting a few shops to see who speaks Mandarin. If you become a regular customer, the shopkeeper is likely to welcome your brief exchanges in his or her native language.

要是你住的城市里有华人社区，试着逛逛一些商店，看看有没有人在说中文。如果你是个老顾客的话，店主很可能非常欢迎你和他进行短期的母语交流。

Take every opportunity to use your language skills. Tell everyone you meet that you are learning Mandarin, find out who speaks it and whether they are willing to help you or not. Sometimes just a brief exchange about the weather will help to keep up your motivation and confidence.

抓住每个机会去使用你的语言能力。告知每个你遇见的人你正在学中文，看看谁也在说中文并询问他们是否愿意帮助你。有时一次关于天气的简短谈论将有助于你维持动力和自信。

Traveling 旅游

A fabulous way to improve your Mandarin is to visit China. If you can afford the time, you can work as an English teacher and stay for a year or so.

一个非常棒的方法提高中文能力就是去趟中国。要是你有足够多的时间，你可以找一份英语教师的工作然后呆个一年多。

Even if you visit for a week or two, it will still be a great opportunity to practice speaking Mandarin everyday, especially if you have already learned the basics before you arrive.

即使你在中国呆个一两周，你也将有许多机会可以每天练习中文，尤其是你来中国之前已经掌握了基本功底。

At Home 在家

One way to reinforce new Mandarin vocabulary is to label common objects around your house. Your labels can include the phonetic pronunciation as well as the Chinese characters. Practice saying the names of these objects every day.

加强中文词汇的一个方法就是将你房子里的常用物件贴上标签。这些标签可以是语言读法也可以是中文字词。你可以每天练习说出这些物件的名称。

You can also trying incorporating Mandarin phrases and words into your everyday conversation. This may annoy some people, but others may enjoy going along with you. The postal carrier may appreciate a friendly "ni hao", but don’t press it if he doesn’t.

你也可以试试将中文短语和字词运用到每天的对话交流中。或许这会让一些人感到烦恼，但是会有其他人喜欢和你这样一起做。邮递员也许会很欣赏一声友好的“你好”，但即使他不喜欢也不要太过在意。