Why Should We Learn Chinese With Songs

Listening and singing along to music is a captivating way to learn Chinese
Listening and singing along to music is a captivating way to learn Chinese

When you learn Chinese with songs, not only will you enjoy catchy tunes, but your language skills can be beneficial in a much more fun and memorable way. 

  • Pronunciation and Tones: The melody and rhythm of songs can help you internalize the tones and pronunciation patterns of Mandarin Chinese.
  • Enhanced Memory and Vocabulary: The repetitive nature of songs, coupled with the mnemonic effect of music, can help you remember new vocabulary and phrases more easily. 
  • Improved Listening Skills: Listening to songs exposes you to authentic Chinese pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm, which are crucial for developing strong listening comprehension.
  • Cultural Insights: Chinese songs often reflect cultural narratives and values, offering a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and traditions. 
  • Authentic Language Exposure: Songs often use everyday language, slang, and idioms, providing a more natural and relatable way to learn Chinese with songs than textbooks or formal dialogues.
  • Suitable for All Levels: Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, incorporating music into your studies is a fun and effective way to progress.

A Curated Playlist for Mandarin Learners

If you are starting to learn Chinese with songs, we’ve compiled a playlist of 15 songs suitable for each level. For easy Chinese song practice, YouTube provides numerous videos with Pinyin lyrics, allowing you to sing along.

Beginner-Friendly Songs

Simple tracks help you feel motivated to learn Chinese with songs
Simple tracks help you feel motivated to learn Chinese with songs

For beginners, songs with simple lyrics, clear pronunciation, and catchy melodies are a good choice to get started.

  • 小蛋糕 (Little Cake) – Wang Sulong

This is a song with a catchy melody and repetitive lyrics – A good choice for beginners to learn Chinese with songs

  • 有随时 (The Moon Represents My Heart) – Teresa Teng

This song is very popular at karaoke, and it’s great for Chinese learners because it’s slow enough to understand.

  • 甜蜜蜜 (Sweet Honey) – Teresa Teng

Another classic by Teresa Teng, this song is known for its simple, repetitive lyrics about sweetness and love.

  • 勇气 (Courage) – Fish Leong

A ballad about courage in love, “Courage” has a relatively slow tempo and clear pronunciation.

  • 朋友 (Friend) – Zhou Huajian

As a classic friendship anthem, this song can offer you meaningful lyrics and useful phrases for social situations.

Intermediate Tracks

Intermediate learners will have at least 500 more new words than beginners
Intermediate learners will have at least 500 more new words than beginners

When you have progressed beyond basic vocabulary and grammar, these songs will help you build fluency, expand your vocabulary, and understand more natural speech patterns.

  • 少女 (Fairy Tale) – Michael Wong

The song has moderate speed and a wide range of common vocabulary, making it ideal for those seeking to widen their knowledge.

  • 抱抱 (Hug) – Mayday

You’ll get exposed to more complex structures while still keeping up with the song since it helps you see how phrases naturally flow together.

  • 告白气球 (Love Confession Balloon) – Jay Chou

This upbeat love song with a French theme features relatively clear pronunciation from Jay Chou (for his standards!).

  • 天涯下 (Under the Vast Sky) – Beyond

“Under the Vast Sky” is a rock ballad with a good mix of word forms, but it’s still easy to follow.

  • 有点甜 (A Little Sweet) – Silence Wang & By2

This sweet duet describes the feeling of falling in love through a catchy melody and simple vocabulary.

Advanced Songs for Native-Like Fluency

The more advanced we get, the less we feel that we improve
The more advanced we get, the less we feel that we improve

If you’re ready to take your Mandarin to the next level, these songs will challenge you and help you sound like a native speaker.

  • 菊花台 (Chrysanthemum Terrace) – Jay Chou

This song, known for its poetic lyrics and traditional Chinese instruments, will challenge your listening comprehension and vocabulary.

  • 烟花易冷 (Fireworks are Easily Cold) – Jay Chou

With its historical theme and complex language, this song is perfect for those who want to know more about Chinese culture and historical events.

  • 十年 Ten Years) – Eason Chan

A classic ballad about a past relationship, this song uses more nuanced language and emotional expression.

  • 演员 (Actor) – Joker Xue

This song has a laid-back vibe and really hits you in the feels with conversational lyrics, so they’re perfect for chatting in everyday situations.

  • 等你下课 (Waiting For You After School) – Jay Chou ft. Gary Yang

Another Jay Chou song with a relatable theme about waiting for someone after school, this song contains more modern slang and conversational phrases.

It’s time to stop relying only on textbooks and to learn Chinese with songs. Even if music is not your thing, the list of the best movies to learn Chinese can be an interesting alternative for you to learn this beautiful language.

Conclusion

When you sing Chinese songs, you will find that you can speak Chinese better. And if you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to learning Chinese from the basics all the way to fluency, we recommend you check out Gurulango for more Chinese vocabulary by topic.