Learning Tips
Why You Still Forget Chinese Words—And How to Fix It
You’ve studied flashcards, memorized vocabulary lists, and passed your tests—so why do so many Chinese words still slip away the moment you need them in a real conversation?
You’re not alone. In fact, forgetting is a natural part of learning any language. The problem …
Chinese for Work or Study: Learn It Quick
Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or applying to a top Chinese university, learning Chinese can open doors. But here’s the catch: the Chinese you need for work is not the same as the Chinese you need for school. So how do you focus …
The Lazy Person’s Guide to Learning Chinese
You want to learn Chinese — but let’s be real: you don’t have time (or energy) for 3-hour daily lessons, 100 new characters a week, or memorizing obscure grammar rules.
Good news: learning Chinese doesn’t have to be painful. If you’re someone who prefers shortcuts, …
5 Common Mistakes That Slow Down Your Chinese Progress
Learning Chinese can be incredibly rewarding, but many students unknowingly make mistakes that hold them back. Whether you’re a beginner or at an intermediate level, avoiding these common pitfalls can help you progress faster and more efficiently.
Mistake 1: Relying Too Much on Pinyin
Why
…Why Time-Crunched Executives Choose $25 Custom Chinese Coaching
Most professionals start their Mandarin journey with standard courses—the familiar programs that teach basic greetings, everyday vocabulary, and structured grammar through fixed curriculums. While these conventional classes work for casual learners, they often leave business professionals frustrated. The reality is, textbook Chinese rarely translates to …
Why I Still Believe Learning Chinese Matters in the AI Era
I’ve been teaching Chinese for over 15 years, and in that time, I’ve seen all kinds of new technology promising to “revolutionize” language learning. Now with AI translators getting better than ever, people often ask me: “Is it still worth learning Chinese? Can’t technology handle …
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Chinese Language Course
Learning Chinese is an exciting and rewarding journey, but with so many courses and programs available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your skills, selecting the right course is crucial to your success. This …
How to Stay Motivated While Learning Chinese: 9 Tips for Long-Term Success
Learning Chinese is a rewarding journey, but it’s no secret that it can also be challenging. With its unique characters, tones, and cultural nuances, staying motivated over the long term requires more than just initial enthusiasm. Whether you’re a beginner or an …
Learning Chinese is Easier Than You Think: Debunking Common Myths
Learning Chinese often feels like an insurmountable challenge. The characters look complex, the tones sound intimidating, and the cultural nuances seem endless. But what if mastering Chinese is far easier than commonly believed? Many of the perceived difficulties are rooted in myths that don’t hold …
AI or Human Teachers: What’s the Best Way to Learn Chinese?
In a world where AI is transforming how we learn, mastering Chinese has never seemed more within reach. With just a few clicks, you can access AI-powered tools that promise to teach you the language quickly and conveniently. But here’s the catch: Can AI truly …
Say It Right: A Beginner’s Guide to Mandarin Pronunciation
In my early days of learning Mandarin, I struggled a lot with pronunciation. I still remember my first attempt to buy something in Mandarin. Full of confidence, I walked into a supermarket in Chinatown and wanted to buy shrimp. I confidently asked the …
Why Do I Often Feel Confused When Translating Chinese?
Have you downloaded Rednote (Xiaohongshu)? If you’re on it, you’ve probably seen tons of posts about Chinese phrases and expressions. They might look simple, but when you try to translate them, they can leave you scratching your head. For example, take this phrase: “你真会来事儿”
Struggling with Mandarin Tones? Here’s How to Master Them!
Have you ever found Mandarin tones to be particularly challenging? Unlike many languages we’re used to, Mandarin’s tonal system is truly one of a kind—it can feel like navigating a tricky maze. A slight misstep in pronunciation, and it’s easy to lose your way! …
Why Tone and Intonation Both Matter in Mandarin Question Sentences？
“Why do Mandarin questions require both tones and intonation?” When I first started learning Mandarin, this question puzzled me. In Mandarin, asking questions involves not only intonation to indicate inquiry but also maintaining precise tones for each word. For instance, in the sentence “你去哪儿?”(Nǐ qù …
Should I Learn Simplified or Traditional Characters?
When you begin learning Chinese, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to study Simplified or Traditional Chinese characters. Both writing systems have deep historical roots, and each offers unique insights into the Chinese language and culture. Today, we’ll explore the …
Tips for Chinese Character Memory: Tricks for Polyphonic, Similar & Homophonic Characters
When you are determined to learn Chinese, are you quickly blocked by the “big mountain” of Chinese characters? Those complicated strokes, changeable pronunciations, and the numerous polyphonic characters similar-shaped characters and homophonic characters make you feel so confused that you even begin to doubt whether …
Learning Chinese from Scratch: 5 Challenges and Strategies You Need to Understand
In the face of increasing globalization, Chinese, one of the world’s most spoken languages, is attracting people from all over the world to learn it. However, for those who start learning Chinese from scratch, it is not an easy journey and is full of challenges. …
Did You Know “Wait for the Green Light” is 等红灯 in Chinese?
I used to be puzzled by “等红灯 (děng hóng dēng)”. I found out it means “Wait for the green light”, but it seemed strange to me. The first time I heard my Chinese friend say this, I thought they were joking. “红灯 (hóng dēng, red …