How to learn Chinese by watching TV shows in Chinese?

About 1.3 billion people (or approximately 16% of the world’s population) speak a variety of Chinese as their first language. As a result, after multiple dedicated efforts, Standard Chinese started being spoken in the form of Standard Mandarin, thereafter, rose to become the official language in the largest part of Mainland China and Taiwan, one of the four in Singapore, and an official idiom of the United Nations, with a few exceptions. 71% of Chinese speak a variety of Mandarin also call “Putonghua.” There are more than 70 million people belonging to 55 different national minorities living in China, and while each minority has its own spoken language, many minority groups do not have any distinguishable written form for their languages. The most common language in China is Standard Chinese. 

Chinese TV shows are a great way to learn the language. Some of China’s current TV shows, especially reality talent shows such as The Voice (The Voice of China) and rom-com such as Friends, are often focused on famous Western shows (iPartment). Chinese audience also admires famous Western television shows such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, The Big Bang Theory, and, most interestingly, The Walking Dead. Since the first three are clearly comparable to many western, well-known TV shows in China, this would mean that a large number of people appreciate them.

The Empress of China

Youku: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODcxOTMzNDc2.html

Hunan TV: http://www.hunantv.com/v/2/103460/index.html

In the last few months, The Empress of China, one of the most lavish TV shows ever made in China, has been embroiled in various controversies and interest. Wu ZeTian, China’s first female tyrant, is depicted in this TV drama as a (sometimes) ruthless and (frequently) driven woman who rose to power. Although Empress Wu is frequently portrayed in a negative light, the show tries to honour her incredible journey through a beautiful historical drama with an interesting plot. It’s a no-brainer if you want to better your Chinese.

Scarlet Heart

Youku: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzAyNDYzNjUy.html

Scarlet Heart is an interesting show based on a novel by Tong Hua and includes time travel, romance, and historical drama. The plot follows a young woman in the twenty-first century who gets transported to the Qing Dynasty, where she assumes the body of a Manchu general’s daughter, after a near-death experience. While the first season received a positive response and a large following, the second season did not do as well. Surprisingly, due to the show’s fantasy theme, the mainland Chinese version had 100 minutes cut from it.

iPartment Season 4

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goQzSuBwBa4 (Eng subtitles)

IQIYI: http://www.iqiyi.com/v_19rrgzy5ls.html?src=sok

This show reminds viewers of the American sitcom Friends. Loaded with bursts of laughter, it’s cheesy, repetitive, and shockingly lovable, just as its Western equivalent. The show, which is now in its fourth season, follows the lives of seven twenty-somethings as they deal with their everyday lives. It also has exaggerated plot lines and a sketch show feel, close to that of modern BBC sitcoms such as ‘Not Going Out’ or ‘Miranda.’

The Lady and the Liar

Youku: http://www.youku.com/show_page/id_zad0e27b6531511e38b3f.html

The Lady and the Liar is set in Shanghai in the 1930s, following the pattern of period dramas, which revolves around a young girl who not only loses her memory but has her identity stolen by another woman in this story. TLTL bagged positive reviews from w

Western audiences. It’s unrealistic and dramatic, with a whole lot of cheesiness thrown in for good measure. 

I am a Singer

Hunan TV: http://www.hunantv.com/v/1/103887/index.html#

Many of you are probably aware of China’s fondness for KTV and entertainment shows, and ‘I Am a Singer’ is the most recent of these shows to air on Chinese television, but with a twist. Shows like this aren’t for everybody, but they’ll certainly put your Chinese listening skills to the test, particularly because there’s music involved. 

The Brain

Youku: http://www.youku.com/show_page/id_za4969972631f11e4abda.html

The Brain is a game show in which regular people compete to be called a “super brain.” This is definitely for the more experienced Chinese learner, as the language is more complicated, but it’s also a nice change from the historical dramas that are already abundant on Chinese television, as well as a little more demanding.

Hurry Up, Brother

IQIYI: http://www.iqiyi.com/a_19rrhc0alp.html?vfm=2008_aldbd

Hurry Up, Brother, is a replica of the Korean based variety show called the Running Man. It has been a huge hit in China since its premiere in January where seven hosts are pitted against guests in an attempt to complete missions and win the competition. It’s a cheese-filled novelty show that’s always entertaining. If you like reality shows like The Voice of China, this is a show where you can practise your listening skills.

Silent Separation (My Sunshine)

IQIYI: http://www.iqiyi.com/a_19rrhc3wk1.html

An intriguing new romantic drama about two lovers who lose touch after a series of misunderstandings, only to reconnect seven years later and rediscover their passion is the primary theme to My Sunshine. Despite being targeted at a younger audience, this has a large following thanks to the ‘classic’ book of the same name. The display is aimed at the heart rather than the brain.

Cruel Romance

Sohu: http://tv.sohu.com/s2014/jxyhlmx/

Based on a novel ‘The Fate of Jinxiu’, Cruel Romance is a story about characters trying to hold two lovers apart. The romantic story talks about a young country girl who gets caught up with the wrong people and is unable to be with the man she loves. Cruel Romance enjoys a large fan base in China and the West.

The Condor Heroes

QQ: http://v.qq.com/p/tv/zt/xsdxl/index.html

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Fw9LZG0ps (Eng subtitles)

A period drama based on a series of novels that combines romance and martial arts, ‘The Condor Heroes’ like many other similar dramas, has a sizable fan base, owing to its ability to be ‘true to the original text’. There are several episodes to improve your listening skills with, but there are also subtitled episodes in English if you just want to watch a Chinese drama.

Chinese can be one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to understand, but that just adds to its appeal! Remember that the more time you devote to learning, the faster you can learn. However, keep in mind that the consistency of the research is more critical than quantity. Immersion activities or everyday practice will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes you to learn Chinese. Don’t feel disheartened. You can and can understand Chinese more quickly than you think. There have also been instances (as the internet can attest) of people learning it in less than a year. 

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