--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're going to learn a new language…" description: "\"If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. You just have to let go.\" — Yao Ming" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/yao-ming-13790_language_if-you-re-going-to-learn-a-new-language_2279167.jpg" --- # If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to… ![“If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. You just have to let go.” quote by Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/yao-ming-13790_language_if-you-re-going-to-learn-a-new-language_2279167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/yao-ming-13790_language_if-you-re-going-to-learn-a-new-language_2279167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/yao-ming-13790_language_if-you-re-going-to-learn-a-new-language_2279167.jpg) > “If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. You just have to let go.” [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism blocks speaking practice; embracing imperfection encourages communication and growth. **In simple terms:** Being perfect stops you from speaking. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and speak. Themes learning confidence communication Mood motivational encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - classroom - travel - online chat - self‑study Key Concepts growth mindset language acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What fear holds you back from speaking? - How can you practice without judgment? A Different Perspective Perfection is hard to achieve and may cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Learn A New Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-a-new-language/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) ## Related quotes > [Never too busy. You don't have to be retired to learn a new language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-too-busy-you-don-t-have-to-be-retired-to-learn-a-new-language/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was able to learn a new language - a new musical language is learning a new language, because it's so extremely different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-goransson/i-was-able-to-learn-a-new-language-a-new-musical-language-is-learning/) [Ludwig Goransson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-goransson/) > [Every time you learn a new language, your understanding of language overall grows, so every time I would learn new music, my understanding of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamasi-washington/every-time-you-learn-a-new-language-your-understanding-of-language/) [Kamasi Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamasi-washington/) > [To learn a new language is, therefore, always a sort of spiritual adventure; it is like a journey of discovery in which we find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-cassirer/to-learn-a-new-language-is-therefore-always-a-sort-of-spiritual/) [Ernst Cassirer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-cassirer/) > [ Just the attempt to learn a \[new\] language is like running different software through the brain. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/just-the-attempt-to-learn-a-new-language-is-like-running-different/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [We all need to learn a new language for love - a language that speaks not in socks, pancakes, and paychecks, but in shared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-sher/we-all-need-to-learn-a-new-language-for-love-a-language-that-speaks/) [Barbara Sher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-sher/) > [Honestly if I had the time, I would love to learn every language in the world. I love connecting to people. If I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-lau/honestly-if-i-had-the-time-i-would-love-to-learn-every-language-in/) [Henry Lau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-lau/) > [Prepare yourselves mentally. A mission requires a great deal of mental preparation. You must memorize missionary discussions, memorize scriptures, and oftentimes learn a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/prepare-yourselves-mentally-a-mission-requires-a-great-deal-of-mental/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I think one thing that has helped me to be an entrepreneur is being an immigrant and coming to the United States. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anousheh-ansari/i-think-one-thing-that-has-helped-me-to-be-an-entrepreneur-is-being/) [Anousheh Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anousheh-ansari/) > [“When life seems like an uphill task do not ever give up on yourself or on life! Travel to a new place, learn a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/when-life-seems-like-an-uphill-task-do-not-ever-give-up-on-yourself/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [As with Cesc Fabregas, some players who go and play for foreign clubs improve on a cultural level. It makes them grow on many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicente-del-bosque/as-with-cesc-fabregas-some-players-who-go-and-play-for-foreign-clubs/) [Vicente del Bosque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicente-del-bosque/) > [“Most people prefer to think that their resentment is entirely the fault of the person they resent, and that twisted logic seems to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ryan-hyde/most-people-prefer-to-think-that-their-resentment-is-entirely-the/) [Catherine Ryan Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ryan-hyde/) > [In grade school I was taught that the United States is a melting pot. People from all over the world come here for freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/in-grade-school-i-was-taught-that-the-united-states-is-a-melting-pot/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“After all, we are all immigrants to the future; none of us is a native in that land. Margaret Mead famously wrote about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-gorbis/after-all-we-are-all-immigrants-to-the-future-none-of-us-is-a-native/) Marina Gorbis > [First you learn a new language, profanity; and second you learn not to discipline your dogs when you're mad, and that's most of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-schultz/first-you-learn-a-new-language-profanity-and-second-you-learn-not-to/) Lou Schultz ## More by Yao Ming > [There is a phrase in Chinese, 'Resolve is victory.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/there-is-a-phrase-in-chinese-resolve-is-victory/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Every sound in the gym is so fantastic. The screams of the fans, the whistle of the ref, the teammates calling to each other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/every-sound-in-the-gym-is-so-fantastic-the-screams-of-the-fans-the/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [The Olympic Games is holy. Athletes from around the world, including myself, of course, dream to participate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/the-olympic-games-is-holy-athletes-from-around-the-world-including/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Others are improving very fast, and I'm not improving as fast, and that bothers me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/others-are-improving-very-fast-and-i-m-not-improving-as-fast-and-that/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Is there a choice in life? It's always been like this. I am jealous that you have a lot of leisure and free time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/is-there-a-choice-in-life-it-s-always-been-like-this-i-am-jealous/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Embarrassed journalists ask me embarrassing questions, and they get embarrassing answers, and then hand out embarrassing stories to the embarrassing editors, who put them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/embarrassed-journalists-ask-me-embarrassing-questions-and-they-get/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [I don't really have anything to say. Basketball is not a game that you can play with your mouth. It needs action to prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/i-don-t-really-have-anything-to-say-basketball-is-not-a-game-that-you/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Fortune cookies are a good idea. If the message is positive, it can make your day a little better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/fortune-cookies-are-a-good-idea-if-the-message-is-positive-it-can/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Hometown is like my quilts. Sometimes when you are in sweet dreams, you don't feel it's comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/hometown-is-like-my-quilts-sometimes-when-you-are-in-sweet-dreams-you/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [I only want to play basketball, and play it well and be happy about it. But I realize that with being famous, comes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/i-only-want-to-play-basketball-and-play-it-well-and-be-happy-about-it/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [I am a basketball player, and I would like to focus my energy on basketball. The other things, I would rather not do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/i-am-a-basketball-player-and-i-would-like-to-focus-my-energy-on/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [First of all, I'm not buff enough. I got pushed away from the basket. And even when I didn't, I couldn't get anyone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/first-of-all-i-m-not-buff-enough-i-got-pushed-away-from-the-basket/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [I think I am upsetting the coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/i-think-i-am-upsetting-the-coach/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [No matter whether you are new or an old team member, you need time to adjust to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/no-matter-whether-you-are-new-or-an-old-team-member-you-need-time-to/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [When I was young, we were taught not to dunk. We were taght not to stand out from the rest of the team. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/when-i-was-young-we-were-taught-not-to-dunk-we-were-taght-not-to/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) [Explore all 49 Yao Ming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) ## More Language quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [“I only have two words to say More or Less”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timbur/i-only-have-two-words-to-say-more-or-less/) TimBur > [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/) [Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What is music? Music is language. A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/) [Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/) > [You're beautiful, cute, pretty, gorgeous, and fuck.. I ran out of words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/you-re-beautiful-cute-pretty-gorgeous-and-fuck-i-ran-out-of-words/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [The world has a soul and whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of many things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-world-has-a-soul-and-whoever-understands-that-soul-can-also/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“The words for what I want to say right now don't exist. Everything sounds…so cliché.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-crane/the-words-for-what-i-want-to-say-right-now-don-t-exist-everything/) [Shelly Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-crane/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Words can kill you trust towards someone, mind you language people, every reaction had its consequence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/words-can-kill-you-trust-towards-someone-mind-you-language-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) [Browse all 21,951 Language quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. 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