Thinking in Chinese

[JustinJJ]

I think it does take active focus depending on your environment.

 

If someone speaks to me in Chinese, I'm watching Chinese TV, or reading Chinese novels I will not translate, but if your working language is English and your colleagues only speak English I think it is more difficult to program your silent inner thoughts throughout the day to be in Chinese, unless you are really disciplined or have trained this skill somehow.

 

I put in effort to not do translations in the beginning stages, e.g. if I was saying 你好 to someone, I was always thinking 你好 not 'hello', but living in a non-Chinese environment I think it's not simple to have Chinese thoughts automatically going through my head when surrounded by people speaking English all day (although that would be a goal at some point).

[hedwards]

Adam, it will happen eventually for most people, the question really is how to get there efficiently. Some people will never get there, but it's mostly because they're always translating in their heads before they speak, assuming they speak at all.

 

But a person that's practicing speaking and listening at a typical speed is going to have to think in Chinese. It's pretty much impossible to be fluent without thinking in Chinese.

[Adam_CLO]

@hedwards I think the practicing speaking and listening at a typical speed like you mentioned is the key. Especially if you are having conversations in topics you're familiar with.

 

So in the beginning it might just be basic greetings (you don't really need to translate what "ni hao" means). Then it might move on to "how was your weekend?" which initially you may have to think about. Later though when you've done it enough times you won't have to think about it anymore and can move on to new topics.