As a non-phonography language, Chinese is indeed difficult for learners whose mother tongue is phonography. The following are the main difficulties in learning Chinese:
Complexity of Chinese characters: There are many Chinese characters, each of which has its own unique shape and meaning, and it takes a lot of time and energy to memorize and practice.
Pronunciation differences: Chinese pronunciation system is different from many other languages, and there are differences in initials, finals and tones. The subtle change of tone may lead to a fundamental change of meaning, which is a challenge for learners who are not familiar with this system.
Differences in grammatical structure: The grammatical structure of Chinese is quite different from that of many Indo-European languages. For example, Chinese lacks obvious morphological changes, verbs usually do not change with the person and quantity of the subject, and there is no obvious tense marker.
Influence of culture and habits: There are many idioms, proverbs and culture-specific expressions in Chinese, which require learners to understand the culture and history behind them in order to understand and use them correctly.
To sum up, Chinese is indeed an arduous task for non-native speakers. However, with the deepening of learning and the cultivation of personal interests, many learners can overcome these difficulties and finally master the language.