How do you get started with listening in Mandarin? What makes group conversations so challenging? And is it true that news broadcasts in Chinese are harder than in other languages? #learnchinese #listening #beginner #news #conversations Chinese listening challenge, June 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ The Fluent Li…

Is learning how to learn worth your time, or should you just engage directly with Chinese instead? The answer depends, but the longer your perspective, the more important it becomes to tweak your method! #learnchinese #how-to #progress #hackingchinese #efficiency Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: Will reading or listening to Hacking Chine…

Zi.Tools is a great free resource for exploring Chinese characters. See what it offers and how you can use it to boost your learning! #learnchinese #chinesecharacters #hanzi #etymology #analysis #dictionary Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com…

Should you focus on learning many words superficially or few words well? How do you stay motivated when flashcards get boring? And how can you tell if you really know a word? #learnchinese #vocabulary #flashcards #skritter #q&a Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-may-2025-learning-chinese-characters…

Tones in Mandarin are tricky, and students face many different kinds of problems. Identifying the type of problem is important for fixing it. #learnchinese #tones #pronunciation #challenges #speaking #listening Link to article: 7 kinds of tone problems in Mandarin and what to do about them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-kinds-tone-problems/ Lear…

Digital dictionaries make reading Chinese easier, but they might also prevent you from learning essential strategies. Let's have a look at why using a good dictionary can be bad for your reading ability! #learnchinese #reading #dictionary #digital #strategies Link to article: Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability: …

Reading is the best way to expand vocabulary and learn about new things, but how should you approach reading in Chinese? And what are the best free reading resources out there? #learnchinese #reading #resources #free #beginner #intermediate #advanced Link: ⁠The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠…

Should you read Chinese with or without Pinyin? What are the pros and cons of reading on your phone? And how do you learn to read Chinese people’s handwriting? #learnchinese #reading #yinyin #handwriting #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A: April, 2025: Reading with Pinyin, Chinese texts on your phone, and deciphering handwr…

Memory is a skill that can be practised, learnt, and mastered. By using the right method, remembering even abstract things like tones and pronunciation in Mandarin becomes possible, even easy! #learnchinese #mnemonics #tones #pronunciation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://ww…

Living and travelling abroad can help you learn Chinese, but your attitude matters. To truly learn, stop being a tourist! #learnchinese #tourist #travel #expat #languagelearning Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don't be a tourist if you want to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-be-a-tourist/ You won’t learn Chinese simply by liv…

Should you cram or use spaced repetition to learn Chinese? Discover when each method works best and why spaced repetition is key to long-term success. #learnchinese #review #vocabulary #cramming #srs #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.…

Videos are ideal for learning Chinese, because the visual element enhances comprehension and engagement. But what videos should you watch? What are the best YouTube channels? #learnchinese #youtube #video #immersion #listening Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/…

Is learning Chinese slang worth your time? What do you do when someone with less study time speaks better than you? And how can you escape the expat bubble and start learning Mandarin? #learnchinese #q&a #speaking #slang #expat #progress Chinese speaking challenge, March 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-speaking-challenge/ Student Q&A: …

Board games are more than just fun, they’re a powerful way to learn Chinese, boosting vocabulary, fluency, and communication skills! #learnchinese #boardgames #game #fluency #communication Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese by playing board games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-playing-board-games/ How to use comp…

Some say that dating a native speaker is the ultimate shortcut to fluency. “You’ll learn effortlessly with a teacher always by your side!” But is learning Chinese with a partner really the silver bullet it’s often made out to be? #learnchinese #partner #boyfriend #girlfriend #wife #husband Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Love and language: Chal…

Most students of Chinese find listening comprehension a challenge. To truly become a fluent listener, use the Input Pyramid to rethink and upgrade your listening practice! #learnchinese #listening #input #fluent Link to article on Hacking Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/course-fluent-listener-mandarin-listening-comprehension Link to a video …

How do you improve listening ability as quickly as possible? Are there any strategies to deal with rapid speech? And how many times should you listen before using a transcript? #learnchinese #improvement #strategies #rapidspeech #transcripts Chinese listening challenge, February 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ The …

I started Hacking Chinese to help people learn Mandarin, and your feedback is essential, so please fill out my listener survey. Also, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, I'm offering a hefty discount on three of my courses. #learnchinese #cny #discount #courses #survey Hacking Chinese reader and listener survey: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hacking-…

You’d think that there are many roads to mastering Chinese, but in truth, there are only three. #learnchinese #mastery #fluency #work #social #hobby #motivation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The three roads to mastering Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.h…

Another year has come to an end. Which were the most popular articles on Hacking Chinese in 2024 The most popular podcast episodes? It's time to summarise the year that was and highlight the things you really shouldn’t miss! #learnchinese #bestof #summary #articles #podcast Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Best of Hacking Chinese 2024: https://w…

What do you do if your teacher says that your text reads like English written with Chinese words? How can you get good feedback on your Chinese writing from ChatGPT? And how can you learn to write in a professional or academic setting? #learnchinese #translation #chatgpt #ai #feedback #academia #professional Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don’…

You say something in Mandarin, a native speaker corrects you, and you adjust. The next day, another native speaker tells you to revert to your original phrasing. What's going on? #learnchinese #nativespeaker #explicit #implicit #feedback Link to article on Hacking Chinese: What native speakers know about Chinese (and what they don’t): https://www.h…

Mnemonics are clever memory techniques you can use to learn and remember more, but this doesn't mean that you should always use them. If you do, you will end up spending more time on mnemonics than you do engaging with the Chinese language. #learnchinese #characters #mnemonics #memory Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don’t use mnemonics for ever…

The more Chinese you learn, the less noticeable your progress becomes. Benchmarking can make your improvements more visible and help you stay motivated! #learnchinese #benchmarking #progress #proficiency Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated: https://www.hackingchinese.com/benchmarking-progress/ How …

You step into a bookshop, exploring the Chinese section, only to find a few textbooks and a 'Learn Chinese in Your Car.' But in the English section, shelves overflow with resources for Chinese speakers. And you wonder: could these books help you learn Chinese? #learnchinese #english #esl #resources #books Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Can Eng…

How can you remember the difference between similar Chinese characters? Are flashcards better than reading for building vocabulary? And how do you learn polyphonic characters? #learnchinese #vocabulary #characters #reading #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic cha…

Thanks to the internet, learning Chinese is now more accessible than ever, and you can do it completely for free. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should, however. If you have money to invest, here's how to do so with the greatest impact. #learnchinese #resources #paid #premium #free Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Which Chinese learn…

Want to understand Mandarin naturally, at any level? This course guides you in building an immersive listening environment and equips you with essential listening strategies. Strengthen your listening ability to unlock conversations, connect with others, and dive into Chinese society and culture, making you feel 如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ), like a fish in wa…

Listening is the cornerstone of language learning, yet many students struggle to improve their Mandarin listening comprehension. Fortunately, making progress isn’t as difficult as you might think; just follow these four key principles! #learnchinese #listening #comprehension #improve #motivation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Four key principl…

Is reading digitally in Chinese better than on paper? What are the best digital tools for reading? And what should you do if you can’t find texts that are both interesting and at the right level? #learnchinese #reading #faq #digital #paper #tools #comprehensible #engaging Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons…

Many people believe that learning a new script is challenging, but mastering systems like Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Japanese kana is surprisingly easy. With the right approach and resources, you can do it in just a few hours! #learnchinese #zhuyin #bopomofo #taiwan Link to article: How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.…

Counting is one of the first things we learn in a foreign language, yet mastering it takes time. While basic numbers may seem simple, using them effectively in communication requires much more than just memorising words. #hackingchinese #numbers #counting #fractions #finance #communication Link to article: Do you really know how to count in Chinese…

Improving your Chinese after you reach an advanced level requires new ways of learning and new sources of motivation. If I could go back in time to give a less proficient version of myself advice, here is what I would say. #hackingchinese #advanced #timemachine #learningstrategy Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an advanced studen…

Don’t try to learn pronunciation by reading. Instead, the best way to improve is to listen to and mimic native speakers. Focusing too much on how sounds are written down can actually make it harder to hear them! #learnchinese #pronunciation #pinyin #labels Link to article: Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: htt…

How is the Pinyin final -i pronounced after sh? How is the initial z- pronounced compared to z in English? And is Pinyin a good transcription system for learning pronunciation? #learnchinese #pronunciation #q&a #pinyin #initials #finals Link to article: Student Q&A, October 2024: Pronouncing the final -i after sh-, the initial z- and if Pinyin is a…

YouTube and similar platforms offer a vast treasure trove of content that can help you learn Chinese, whether you're watching videos in Chinese or exploring content about language and culture. But how can you get the most out of this resource at different stages of learning? #learnchinese #youtube #video #input Link to article: How to use YouTube a…

Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate learners of Mandarin. #learnchinese #intermediate #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2: https://www.hackingchine…

How words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context. #learnchinese #pronunciation #context #youtube #usage Link to article: YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in co…

Should you slow down the Mandarin you listen to? How can you prepare for difficult listening exams? And how can you understand Chinese numbers in context? #learnchinese #rateofspeech #slowaudio #exams #listening #numbers Link to article: Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers: https://w…

There are over 500 articles and more than 1 million words on Hacking Chinese. How are you supposed to absorb all that information and inspiration as a student? Let’s discuss how to get the most out of my website and podcast! Back-to-school course discount, 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/ Tags: #l…

I started learning Chinese more than 15 years ago. Here are three things I wish I had known back then, as a beginner! #learnchinese #beginner #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: The time machine, part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-…

Listening is the most important skill of all, because it accelerates all other learning and is crucial for social integration. What are the best free Chinese listening resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners? Link to article: ⁠The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠…

How can you stop translating in your head? What are some Chinese words that can’t be translated? And why is translation a worthwhile learning activity? #learnchinese #translation #mentaltranslation Podcast listener survey: https://forms.gle/tVqRe8gVhoQwj9xM7 Link to article: Student Q&A, August 2024: Avoiding mental translation, untranslatable word…

Understanding Chinese involves more than just knowing words and phrases; it's about using context to interpret meaning. My recent trip to China highlighted the crucial role of top-down listening in navigating dialects, speech patterns, and unexpected questions. #learnchinese #topdownlistening #accents #immersion #context Link to article: Insights f…

Small details sometimes matter when writing Chinese characters, but sometimes they don't. Figuring out which details to pay attention to is made harder by character variants and font differences! #learnchinese #chineselanguage #chinesefonts #languagelearning #chinesetips Link to article: Chinese character variants and font differences for language …

Previewing before Chinese lessons is a simple yet frequently overlooked method to enhance learning. By previewing, you maximise the benefits of each lesson, allowing you to focus on areas where you truly need a teacher's guidance. #learnchinese #preview #class #course Link to article: Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.…

The humble notebook is a powerful tool for learners of Chinese. Whether an exquisite leather-bound journal or a digital text file, a notebook offers more than a space to record information about vocabulary or grammar. #learnchinese #notes #notebook #logging Link to article: How I used a notebook to learn more Chinese, and why you should too: https:…

How can you read Chinese faster? Which children's books are best for second-language learners? And what's the ideal entry point into Chinese literature? #learnchinese #reading #q&a #speed #genre Link to article: Student Q&A, July 2024: Reading speed, children’s books and Chinese literature: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-july-2024-readin…

When learning Chinese, your progress depends on three factors: the content you study, the methods you use, and the time you dedicate. To achieve your goals quickly and efficiently, strive to optimise all three! #learnchinese #progress #time #method #content Link to article: The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.ha…

Habits are routines that become smooth and effortless with repetition. By developing the right habits for learning Chinese, you can learn more with less effort! #learnchinese #habit #routine #studymanagement Link to article: Habit hacking for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learners/ The best podcasts fo…