Nach Genre filtern
- 323 - 321 - How to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Chinese
Translating everything in your head makes speaking and listening to Chinese slow and difficult. Here’s why it happens, and how to stop doing it and start thinking in Chinese instead.
#learnchinese #speaking #translation #listening
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-stop-translating-in-your-head-and-start-thinking-in-chinese/
How to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games:https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/
The cheapest and most convenient way to improve your spoken Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-way-to-improve-your-spoken-chinese/
Role-playing to learn more Chinese and avoid frustration:https://www.hackingchinese.com/role-playing-to-learn-more-chinese-and-avoid-frustration/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
The beginner’s guide to Chinese translation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-beginners-guide-to-chinese-translation/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands:https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 17min - 322 - 320 - Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how
The best way to learn to understand spoken Mandarin is to listen as much as you can to engaging content that you can make sense of. But what should you listen to and how?
#learnchinese #beginner #listening #comprehensibleinput
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
Learning Chinese is more like walking a thousand miles than running 100-metre dash:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-is-more-like-walking-a-thousand-miles-than-running-100-metre-dash/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher/
Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension:https://www.hackingchinese.com/four-key-principles-to-improve-your-mandarin-listening-comprehension/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands:https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading:https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/Chinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-fast-and-slow-three-ways-of-slowing-down-mandarin-speech/
Chinese subtitles and transcripts: Reading before, while or after listening:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-subtitles-and-transcripts-reading-before-while-or-after-listening/
Listen more and learn more by building a personal Chinese audio library:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-and-learn-more-by-building-a-personal-chinese-audio-library/
30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/
The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/
How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2026:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
Training your Chinese teacher, part 3: Listening ability:https://www.hackingchinese.com/training-your-chinese-teacher-part-3-listening-ability/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/Why you should use more than one Chinese textbook:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-use-more-than-one-chinese-textbook/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 - 24min - 321 - 319 - No, ChatGPT can't analyse your Mandarin pronunciation
ChatGPT can offer valuable feedback on Mandarin word choice and grammar, but can it help you improve your pronunciation?
#learnchinese #pronunciation #chatgpt
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: No, ChatGPT can't analyse your Mandarin pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/no-chatgpt-cant-analyse-your-mandarin-pronunciation/
Full ChatGPT transcript: https://chatgpt.com/share/6aa3adc2-6938-83eb-9dfd-adb8477854ac
Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/
Using speech recognition to improve Chinese pronunciation, part 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-speech-recognition-to-improve-chinese-pronunciation-part-1/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/
The importance of tones is inversely proportional to the predictability of what you say:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-tones-is-inversely-proportional-to-the-predictability-of-what-you-say/
Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-Chinese-voice/
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers:https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/
A smart method to discover problems with Mandarin sounds and tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-smart-method-to-discover-problems-with-tones/How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 13 Sep 2026 - 16min - 320 - 318 - 9 questions about Pinyin and Chinese pronunciation
Learning to pronounce Mandarin can be tricky, and if you misunderstand the link between spoken sounds and Pinyin spelling, it gets a lot worse. Let’s discuss nine questions about learning Chinese pronunciation.
#learnchinese #pinyin #pronunciation #questions
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: 9 answers to questions about Pinyin and pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/9-answers-to-questions-about-pinyin-and-pronunciation/
Chinese Language Stack Exchange:https://chinese.stackexchange.com/
5 websites to help answer your questions about Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-websites-to-help-answer-your-questions-about-chinese/
101 questions and answers about how to learn Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/101-questions-and-answers-about-how-to-learn-chinese/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Pinyin chart (AllSet Learning):https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/pinyin_chart
A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: Learning Mandarin pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls/
Obligatory and optional tone change rules in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/optional-obligatory-tone-change-rules-mandarin/
International Phonetic Alphabet:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone/
Focus on initials and finals, not Pinyin spelling:https://www.hackingchinese.com/focus-on-initials-and-finals-not-pinyin-spelling/
Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea/
Yuen Ren Chao:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuen_Ren_Chao
Gwoyeu Romatzyh:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwoyeu_Romatzyh
Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 06 Sep 2026 - 25min - 319 - 317 - Getting the most out of Hacking Chinese in 2026 (back-to-school course discounts)
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 Hacking Chinese and the courses I've created to provide more structured guidance.
Back-to-school course discount, 2026:https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/
Get $31 off any course with the code “kaixue”, or $128 off when buying any three courses with the code “buy3”. Both discounts are available through September 9!
Tags: #learnchinese #course #howto #guidance #discount #backtoschool
Link to Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence (for all learners):https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Link to Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners (get off to a good start or make sure you haven’t missed anything):https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Link to The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water (for all learners):https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Link to Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin (for all learners):https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube:https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 30 Aug 2026 - 25min - 318 - 316 - How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe)
Dictation tests, or 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě), are common in Chinese courses, but many students struggle with them. Here is a guide for how to nail any dictation test!
#learnchinese #dictation #tingxie #test #chinesecharacters #hanzi
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/
Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 5: Making sense of Chinese words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-5-making-sense-of-chinese-words/
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
When perfectionism becomes an obstacle to progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-perfectionism-becomes-an-obstacle-to-progress/
How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/
Chinese characters, ideograms and words: A beginner’s guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/
Review: The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters/
All the resources you need to learn and teach Chinese stroke order: https://www.hackingchinese.com/everything-you-need-to-learn-chinese-stroke-order/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/
Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki/
Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/
The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/
You can’t learn Chinese characters by rote: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote/
A minimum-effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 23 Aug 2026 - 17min - 317 - 315 - Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose
Flashcards can teach you to write Chinese characters, but they can be boring and hide problems. Communicative handwriting is more engaging and prepares you for real-world tasks.
#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #handwriting #communication
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-write-chinese-characters-through-communication/
How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/
Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 16 Aug 2026 - 11min - 316 - 314 - How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components
Mountains, trees and rocks are easy to use in mnemonics. But what do you do with character components whose meanings are general, abstract or overlapping?
#learnchinese #mnemonics #characters #components #vocabulary
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components/
Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
Chinese characters, ideograms and words: A beginner's guide:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 4: Learning and remembering compound characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-4-learning-and-remembering-compound-characters/
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques:https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Panning: Keeping similar Chinese characters and words separate:https://www.hackingchinese.com/panning-keeping-similar-chinese-characters-and-words-separate/
Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up:https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up/
Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches:https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/
Learning Classical Chinese is for everyone (no, seriously!):https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-classical-chinese-is-for-everyone-no-seriously/
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: Superficial forms to deep structure:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/
Review: The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters/
Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/
How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights/
Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners?https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners/
Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden... or burn it down and start afresh:https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 19min - 315 - 313 - Why you should listen to the Hacking Chinese Podcast
Listening to a podcast about learning Chinese is not the same as learning Chinese, so why spend your limited time on the Hacking Chinese Podcast?
#learnchinese #podcast #hackingchinese
Link to The Hacking Chinese Podcast: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/
Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-reading-hacking-chinese-help-you-learn-mandarin/
30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 06min - 314 - 312 - The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better
90% of an iceberg is underwater, yet we mostly pay attention to the bit that sticks up. The same is true for proficiency in Chinese: speaking ability is easy to see, but relies on a much larger system underneath.
#learnchinese #speaking #input #iceberg
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-chinese-iceberg-why-speaking-more-isnt-enough-to-speak-better/
The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/
Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability:https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-chinese-voice/
Focusing on tone pairs to improve your Mandarin pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/focusing-on-tone-pairs-to-improve-your-mandarin-pronunciation/
The art of being corrected:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time?https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/
Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead:https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/
How learning some basic theory can improve your pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation/
Chinese tones explained: The four Mandarin tones:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
How to become fluent in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers:https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found athttps://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 26 Jul 2026 - 14min - 313 - 311 - New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection
I have published a book! It's called Hacking Chinese: the Snake Collection and contains articles I wrote in 2025, the Year of the Snake. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, but Chinese characters, tutors and input are the most prominent.
#learnchinese #anthology #hackingchinese #snake
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection: https://www.hackingchinese.com/new-book-hacking-chinese-the-snake-collection/
Purchase the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bOH8i5
Best of Hacking Chinese 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-of-hacking-chinese-2025
The Snake Collection contents with links to articles and podcast episodes: https://www.hackingchinese.com/snake
Courses on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 05min - 312 - 310 - 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese
Most learners know they should “listen more”, but what they listen to matters. To improve, you need to make sense of spoken Mandarin, not listen to people explain Mandarin in English.
#learnchinese #listening #podcast #english #input
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Chinese language logging, part 1: Why and how to track your progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-language-logging-part-1-why-and-how-to-track-your-progress/
How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-fluent-listener/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 12 Jul 2026 - 11min - 311 - 309 - Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up
When we first start learning Chinese, each new character is hard to learn, but as we learn more, it gets easier. But a new problem soon appears: Mixing up similar characters.
#learnchinese #characters #vocabulary #forgetting
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up/
The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/
How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/
5 websites to help answer your questions about Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-websites-to-help-answer-your-questions-about-chinese/
Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/
Zooming in: The tools you need to break down and understand Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zooming-in-the-tools-you-need-to-break-down-and-understand-chinese/
Zooming out: The resources you need to put Chinese in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zooming-out-the-resources-you-need-to-put-chinese-in-context/
Panning: Keeping similar Chinese characters and words separate: https://www.hackingchinese.com/panning-keeping-similar-chinese-characters-and-words-separate/
Dealing with near-synonyms in Chinese as an independent learner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-near-synonyms-in-chinese-as-an-independent-learner/
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Phonetic components, part 2: Hacking Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-2-hacking-chinese-characters/
7 mistakes I made when writing Chinese characters and what I learnt from them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-mistakes-i-made-when-writing-chinese-characters-and-what-i-learnt-from-them/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 - 13min - 310 - 308 - How much Chinese should you listen to every day?
Listening is the most important skill. To improve your listening ability in Chinese, you need to listen a lot, but how much should you listen every day?
#learnchinese #listening #time #practice #immersion
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water
Beginner Chinese listening practice: what to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese
The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese
100 hours of Chinese listening in 3 weeks: what I learnt and how to apply it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/100-hours-of-chinese-listening-in-3-weeks-what-i-learnt-and-how-to-apply-it
The input pyramid: Chinese listening for any situation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation
Chinese language logging, part 1: why and how to track your progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-language-logging-part-1-why-and-how-to-track-your-progress
The time barrel: or why you have more time than you think: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese
Listen more than once: how the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese
Habit hacking for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learners
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 17min - 309 - 307 - How technology can stop you from learning Chinese
Technology can make learning Chinese easier, but only if it helps you engage more with the language. Used poorly, the same tools can get in the way of learning instead of supporting it.
#learnchinese #technology #traps #ai
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/
How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier
Analysis paralysis and learning Chinese: When thinking too much holds you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analysis-paralysis-choosing-method-becomes-problem
How going shopping can help you learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/going-shopping-can-help-learn-chinese
Chinese subtitles and transcripts: Reading before, while or after listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-subtitles-and-transcripts-reading-before-while-or-after-listening
Is it necessary to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading
How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Seeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-it
Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 16min - 308 - 306 - How technology can make learning Chinese easier
Technology can make learning Chinese easier, not by doing the learning for you, but by helping you spend more time on what actually matters: listening, reading and communicating in Chinese.
#learnchinese #technology #ai #benefits
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese
How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-use-youtube-and-other-video-platforms-to-learn-chinese
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning
Chinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-fast-and-slow-three-ways-of-slowing-down-mandarin-speech
Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad
Using voice messaging as a stepping stone to Chinese conversations: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-voice-messaging-practise-speaking-listening
8 tips and tricks for introverts learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-student
Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-ai-chatbots-for-low-stress-mandarin-speaking-practice
How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions
7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher
How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mandarin-tutor-for-you-a-complete-guide
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 14min - 307 - 305 - When spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it
Spaced repetition software is designed to delay reviews as long as possible without letting you forget. For learning Chinese, though, barely remembering something is not enough.
#learnchinese #vocabulary #srs #flashcards
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: When spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-spaced-repetition-fails-and-what-to-do-about-it/
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them
Chinese listening strategies: Improving listening speed: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-strategies-improving-listening-speed
The most common Chinese words, characters and components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-most-common-chinese-words-characters-and-components-for-language-learners-and-teachers
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki
Is your flashcard deck too big for your own good? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-your-flashcard-deck-too-big-for-your-own-good
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 - 13min - 306 - 304 - How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques that can be used to memorise everything from decks of cards to speeches, but how do you use them to learn Chinese?
#learnchinese #mnemonics #memory #vocabulary
Link to article: How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Remembering is a skill you can learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn
Chinese characters, ideograms and words: a beginner's guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: superficial forms to deep structure: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure
Don't use mnemonics for everything: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything
Shapeshifting Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/shapeshifting-chinese-characters
Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning
Extending mnemonics inspiration and insights: https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights
Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components
Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches
Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 31 May 2026 - 12min - 305 - 303 - Learn Chinese by playing Chinese chess (象棋, xiàngqí)
Chinese chess, or 象棋 (xiàngqí), is more than a classic strategy game. It’s a fun, practical way into Chinese language and culture.
#learnchinese #xiangqi #chinesechess
Link to article: Learn Chinese by playing Chinese chess (象棋, xiàngqí): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-by-playing-chinese-chess-xiangqi/
Learn Chinese by playing Mahjong 麻將 (májiàng): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-by-playing-mahjong-%e9%ba%bb%e5%b0%87-majiang/
Pieces and how they move (in Chinese): https://www.zh.xiangqi.com/pieces-and-moves
10 ways of using games to learn and teach Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-ways-using-games-learn-teach-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 24 May 2026 - 09min - 304 - 302 - The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026
Podcasts let you create your own Chinese immersion experience, with level-appropriate stories and authentic conversations. Learn flexibly on the go with the best podcasts for beginners, intermediate and advanced students!
#learnchinese #podcasts #listening #beginner #intermediate #advanced
Link to article: The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Learning Chinese through audiobooks: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-audio-books/
The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/
Make sure listening isn't a practical problem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 17 May 2026 - 18min - 303 - 301 - Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning
Measuring your Chinese progress is a double-edged sword: it can keep you motivated, but it can also tempt you to chase numbers that don’t reflect real progress.
#learnchinese #progress #motivation #measure #benchmark
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword/
Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated: https://www.hackingchinese.com/benchmarking-progress
How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau
6 benefits of learning Chinese through sports: https://www.hackingchinese.com/practising-sports-to-learn-chinese
Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn wants you addicted to learning: https://www.theverge.com/24267841/luis-von-ahn-duolingo-owl-language-learning-gamification-generative-ai-android-decoder
The importance of counting what counts when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-the-importance-of-coutning-what-counts
Using HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: Pros and cons: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese
The CEFR Levels: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions
CEFR self-assessment grid: https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045bb52
CEFR companion volume: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/cefr-companion-volume-and-its-language-versions
6 challenges students face when learning to read Chinese and how to overcome them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-challenges-students-face-when-learning-to-read-chinese-and-how-to-overcome-them
Seeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-it
How long have you studied Chinese? 290 years or 58 992 hours! https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-long-have-you-studied-chinese-290-years-or-58-992-hours
Approaches to reading in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/approaches-to-reading-in-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 11 May 2026 - 12min - 302 - 300 - Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea
Learning Mandarin pronunciation is not easy, so some people try to use English words to learn or teach the sounds. This is a really bad idea.
#learnchinese #pronunciation #english #sounds
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin
Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 3: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-3
A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: Learning Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese
How learning some basic theory can improve your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation
24 great resources for improving your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/24-great-resources-for-improving-your-mandarin-pronunciation
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 04 May 2026 - 16min - 301 - 299 - How to not memorise Chinese characters: The anatomy of bad mnemonics
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques that help you remember everything from PIN codes to Chinese characters. Good mnemonics make learning easier, but bad ones can distract you or even hold you back.
#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #mnemonics #memory #vocabulary
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to not memorise Chinese characters: The anatomy of bad mnemonics: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-memorise-chinese-characters-the-anatomy-of-bad-mnemonics/
Remembering is a skill you can learn:https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn
The building blocks of Chinese, part 4: Learning and remembering compound characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-4-learning-and-remembering-compound-characters
Don’t use mnemonics for everything:https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything
Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning
Extending mnemonics: Inspiration and insights:https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: Superficial forms to deep structure:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure
Learning Chinese characters through pictures:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures
Learn to read Chinese with ease?https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-to-read-chinese-with-ease
Why you should think of characters in terms of functional components:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-think-of-characters-in-terms-of-functional-components
How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-zhuyin-bopomofo-in-two-hours
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 27 Apr 2026 - 16min - 300 - 298 - The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats
The best time to start learning Chinese might be behind you, but the second-best time is now. If you’ve been surrounded by Mandarin for years and keep putting off learning the language, this guide is for you!
#learnchinese #expat #china #bubble #immersion
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-time-to-start-learning-chinese-is-now-a-guide-for-expats/
You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
Habit hacking for language learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learners
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
Beginner Chinese listening practice what to listen to and how:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how
Chinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners
You shouldn't walk the road to Chinese fluency alone:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-shouldnt-walk-the-road-to-chinese-fluency-alone
How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions
7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher:https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher
How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mandarin-tutor-for-you-a-complete-guide
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation
A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts:https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-practical-guide-to-your-ideal-mandarin-self-build-motivation-that-lasts
The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 14min - 299 - 297 - Improve your Chinese conversations by listening to the listener
The obvious way to learn Mandarin is to listen to a person speaking the language. The less obvious way is to listen to the person who isn’t speaking in a conversation. What can you learn by listening to the listener?
#learnchinese #listening #conversations #responses
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Improve your Chinese conversations by listening to the listener: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-to-the-listener/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 5: Becoming a better listener as a student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-5-becoming-a-better-listener-as-a-student-of-chinese
How to improve your Chinese writing ability through focused reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability-through-focused-reading
The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists
How to fake sounding like a native Chinese speaker: https://www.hackingchinese.com/fake-sounding-like-native-chinese-speaker
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 - 13min - 298 - 296 - Chinese is fascinating and exciting, not weird and stupid
When learning a foreign language, some things might appear weird or even stupid. But does a negative attitude towards Chinese make it harder to learn? And if it does, how can you adopt a more positive approach?
#learnchinese #attitude #motivation #stupid
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese is fascinating and exciting, not weird and stupid: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-is-fascinating-and-exciting-not-weird-and-stupid/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation
A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-practical-guide-to-your-ideal-mandarin-self-build-motivation-that-lasts
How to learn to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-tones-in-mandarin/
The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/
Have fun learning Chinese or else… https://www.hackingchinese.com/have-fun-or-else/
How to learn Chinese characters: My best advice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Learning Chinese pronunciation as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-pronunciation-as-a-beginner
Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 - 12min - 297 - 295 - Which Chinese language course should you take?
The answer to the question of which Chinese language course you should choose is that it depends. But what does it depend on, and how do you make the right decision about which course to take?
#learnchinese #course #class #learning
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Which Chinese language course should you take? https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-chinese-language-course-should-you-take/
Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning
Using Chinese textbooks to improve reading ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-chinese-textbooks-to-improve-reading-ability
The question you have to ask about your Chinese teacher or course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-question-you-have-to-ask-about-your-chinese-teacher-or-course
Why not going to China now could actually be good for your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-not-going-to-china-now-could-actually-be-good-for-your-chinese
Immersion at home or why you don't have to go abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad
Characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 - 13min - 296 - 294 - The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners
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: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
#learnchinese #listening #resources #beginner #intermediate #advanced
7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese listening practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/
Three factors that decide how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
How to adjust your Chinese listening to the right level: https://www.hackingchinese.com/adjust-your-listening-practice-to-your-current-state-of-mind/
The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/
The time barrel: How to find more time to study Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/
How to find more time to practise Chinese listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-more-time-to-practise-listening/
Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify and YouTube: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 - 18min - 295 - 293 - Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners
Remembering is not a fixed, innate ability; it's a skill you can learn. In fact, there are many proven and easy ways to improve your memory!
#learnchinese #memory #mnemonics #vocabulary
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
Feats of memory anyone can do (Joshua Foer, TED): https://youtu.be/U6PoUg7jXsA
Secrets of a Mind-Gamer: How I trained my brain and became a world-class memory athlete (Joshua Foer, NY Times): http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/20/magazine/mind-secrets.html
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything (Joshua Foer, Amazon): https://amzn.to/460tCFN
How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell
The building blocks of Chinese, part 2: Basic characters, components and radicals: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-2-basic-characters-components-and-radicals
The building blocks of Chinese, part 4: Learning and remembering compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-4-learning-and-remembering-compound-characters
The building blocks of Chinese, part 6: Learning and remembering compound words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-words-really-fast
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components
Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners
Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything
What a big Rubik’s Cube taught me about Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-a-big-rubiks-cube-taught-me-about-chinese-characters
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 - 15min - 294 - 292 - A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts
Motivation is not a personality trait that you either have or lack. It is a system you can design. Picture your future Mandarin self, make study sustainable, and let steady action close the gap.
#learnchinese #motivation #l2mss #dörnyei
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-practical-guide-to-your-ideal-mandarin-self-build-motivation-that-lasts/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation
Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese
How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 09 Mar 2026 - 15min - 293 - 291 - Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners?
Mnemonics are clever memory devices designed to make it easier to remember things, but considering that they take time both to create and retrieve, are they really that useful for learning Chinese?
#learnchinese #mnemonics #characters #memory #vocabulary
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners/
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: Superficial forms to deep structure: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure
How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning
How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn
You can’t learn Chinese characters by rote: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components
Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything
4 Types of Mnemonic Devices and How to Use Them: https://www.tckpublishing.com/mnemonic-devices
Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin
How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights
Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 02 Mar 2026 - 11min - 292 - 290 - Spaced repetition: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese
Are you tired of learning Chinese characters and words only to forget them a day, a week or a month later? What if there were a simple method that would allow you to remember almost everything you learn, and that didn't take too much time and energy to use? There is: spaced repetition!
#learnchinese #srs #vocabulary #flashcards #memory
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Spaced repetition: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/
The Leitner System: https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/study-revision/leitner-system
Spaced repetition is not limited to flashcards: https://www.hackingchinese.com/spaced-repetition-not-limited-flashcards/
Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/
Pleco: https://www.pleco.com/
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden… or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh/
Measuring your language learning is a double-edged sword: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 23 Feb 2026 - 13min - 291 - 289 - Reader and listener survey + Lunar New Year discount
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://forms.gle/FNKLcnDbxoBgULpK9
Chinese New Year and New Semester Course Discount: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-new-year-and-new-semester-course-discounts/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 15 Feb 2026 - 05min - 290 - 288 - New book: Hacking Chinese: the Dragon Collection
I have published a book! It's called Hacking Chinese: the Dragon Collection and contains articles I wrote in 2024, the Year of the Dragon. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, but tones, listening comprehension and motivation are the most prominent.
#learnchinese #anthology #hackingchinese #dragon
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: New book: Hacking Chinese: the Dragon Collection: https://www.hackingchinese.com/new-book-hacking-chinese-the-dragon-collection/
Purchase the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aghT6G
Best of Hacking Chinese 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-of-hacking-chinese-2024
The Dragon Collection contents with links to articles and podcast episodes: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dragon
Courses on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 - 04min - 289 - 287 - How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing
Feedback is important for learning, because it can show you how to not use the language and highlight things you hadn't noticed before. But getting honest feedback on your Chinese is harder than you might think.
#learnchinese #feedback #correction #speaking #writing
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-listening-resource-collections-for-learning-chinese
The 10 best free reading resource collections for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-reading-resource-collections-for-learning-chinese
How to learn from your mistakes and errors when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-the-importance-of-separating-various-kinds-of-mistakes
16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/tone-errors-in-mandarin-that-actually-can-cause-confusion
Two reasons why pronunciation matters more than you think: https://www.hackingchinese.com/two-reasons-why-pronunciation-matters-more-than-you-think
Making progress in Chinese in spite of praise: https://www.hackingchinese.com/advancing-in-spite-of-praise
Making mistakes in Chinese is necessary to adjust your mental models: https://www.hackingchinese.com/making-mistakes-and-correcting-models
Chinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone
A smart method to discover problems with Mandarin sounds and tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-smart-method-to-discover-problems-with-tones
Don’t try to improve everything at once when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-try-to-improve-everything-at-once-limit-your-focus
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 02 Feb 2026 - 11min - 288 - 286 - Chinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin
The best way to learn to read Chinese is to read texts you can understand without constantly using a dictionary. As a beginner, those texts aren’t always easy to find, but let’s look at the best reading resources I know for beginners.
#learnchinese #beginner #reading #resources
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced
6 challenges students face when learning to read Chinese and how to overcome them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-challenges-students-face-when-learning-to-read-chinese-and-how-to-overcome-them
Introduction extensive reading chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning
Why you should use more than one Chinese textbook: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-use-more-than-one-chinese-textbook
Review: Mandarin Companion: Easy to read novels in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-mandarin-companion-easy-to-read-novels-in-chinese
Escape: A text adventure game for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/escape-text-adventure-game-chinese-learners
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners
12 ways chatting online will improve your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chat-your-way-to-better-chinese
The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges
Beginner Chinese listening practice: what to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 - 17min - 287 - 285 - Chinese subtitles and transcripts: Reading before, while or after listening
Subtitles and transcripts can help you understand spoken Chinese, but do they also help you become a better listener? Should you read along, read first, or save the text for after you’ve listened?
#learnchinese #listening #reading #subtitles #transcripts
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese subtitles and transcripts: Reading before, while or after listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-subtitles-and-transcripts-reading-before-while-or-after-listening/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese
Listen before you read: Improve your listening ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-before-you-read-improve-your-listening-ability
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese
The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 - 20min - 286 - 284 - Chinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech
Spoken Mandarin can feel like an onslaught of similar sounds, half-recognised tones and unknown words. To add insult to injury, it's often too fast! Should you slow it down? If so, how?
#learnchinese #listening #speed #rateofspeech #fast #slow
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-fast-and-slow-three-ways-of-slowing-down-mandarin-speech/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese
Learning the neutral tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-neutral-tone-in-mandarin
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese
Using Audacity to learn Chinese (speaking and listening): https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-audacity-to-learn-chinese-speaking-and-listening
The 10 best free C listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners
Beginner Chinese listening practice: what to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 - 18min - 285 - 283 - Best of Hacking Chinese 2025
2025 has come to an end. Which were the most popular articles on Hacking Chinese last year? The most popular podcast episodes? It's time to summarise the year that was and highlight the things you really shouldn’t miss!
#learnchinese #2025 #bestof #hackingchinese
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Best of Hacking Chinese 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-of-hacking-chinese-2025/
All articles on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2
Hacking Chinese Resources: http://resources.hackingchinese.com/
Hacking Chinese Challenges: https://challenges.hackingchinese.com/
Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters
Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese
Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-ai-chatbots-for-low-stress-mandarin-speaking-practice
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese
Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
7 characteristics of a great chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher
16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back
What a big Rubik’s Cube taught me about Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-a-big-rubiks-cube-taught-me-about-chinese-characters
4, 3, 2, 1: Fluency! A great technique to boost your Mandarin speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/4-3-2-1-fluency-a-great-technique-for-boost-your-mandarin-speaking-ability
How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor
The three roads to mastering Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese
The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation
Courses on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 05 Jan 2026 - 18min - 284 - 282 - Diversify how you study Chinese to learn more
How is it possible to spend 80 hours a week learning Chinese? And what can you learn from that, even if you're busy juggling work, family and other commitments?
#learnchinese #immersion #busylife
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Diversify how you study Chinese to learn more: https://www.hackingchinese.com/diversified-learning-is-smart-learning/
Learning Chinese in the shower with me: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-in-the-shower-with-me/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Three factors that decide how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/
Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/
The time barrel: How to find more time to study Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/
The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki/
Using memory aids and mnemonics to make Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Immersion at home or: Why you don’t have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 29 Dec 2025 - 15min - 283 - 281 - Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better
You can build vocabulary in Chinese with flashcard apps and spaced repetition, but reading is more effective and more enjoyable. It helps you recognise words, understand how they work in context and build your sense of how the language works.
#learnchinese #reading #vocabulary #srs #flashcards #wordswing
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/
WordSwing: https://wordswing.com/
Anki: https://apps.ankiweb.net/
Mapping the terra incognita of Chinese vocabulary: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mapping-the-terra-incognita-of-vocabulary
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Five text games for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/five-text-games-for-chinese-learners
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 22 Dec 2025 - 13min - 282 - 280 -Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches
How long does it take to learn a Chinese character or word? It varies, but some vocabulary just refuses to stick, no matter what you do. These are called leeches, and if you don't deal with them, they'll suck you dry.
#learnchinese #leeches #vocabulary #flashcards #srs
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Anki documentation about leeches: .html: https://docs.ankiweb.net/leeches.html?highlight=review+mode
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning
Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up
About cheating, spaced repetition and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-cheating-spaced-repetition-and-learning-chinese
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell
Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning
7 mistakes I made when writing Chinese characters and what I learnt from them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-mistakes-i-made-when-writing-chinese-characters-and-what-i-learnt-from-them
Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden… or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 15 Dec 2025 - 12min - 281 - 279 - Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality
Everybody knows that knowing many words is important, but how important is it? And how should you expand your vocabulary in Chinese?
#learnchinese #vocabulary #words #characters
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system
An introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning
Seeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-it
When spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-spaced-repetition-fails-and-what-to-do-about-it
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki
Review: Mandarin Companion: Easy to read novels in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-mandarin-companion-easy-to-read-novels-in-chinese
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 - 15min - 280 - 278 - A minimum-effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand
Chinese characters are beautiful and fascinating, but learning to write them by hand is time-consuming. If you want to learn to write Chinese characters by hand with the least possible time investment, what's the best approach?
#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #handwriting #strategy
A minimum-effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
How to improve your Chinese handwriting: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-handwriting
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners
What to read to improve your Chinese and why: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-to-read-to-improve-your-chinese-and-why
Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1
How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-zhuyin-bopomofo-in-two-hours
Phonetic components, part 1: The key to 80% of all Chinese characters: http://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: http://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: http://www.hackingchinese.com/boosting-your-character-learning-with-skritter
Learning to write Chinese characters through communication: http://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-write-chinese-characters-through-communication
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 - 14min - 279 - 277 - Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden... or burn it down and start afresh
Flashcards are powerful, but what if your deck feels more like an overgrown thicket than a carefully cultivated garden? Do you clear away the weeds and bring it back under control, or burn it all down and start afresh?
#learnchinese #vocabulary #flashcards #srs #characters #words
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden... or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese
Why flashcards are terrible for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-bad-for-learning-chinese
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software
Why manually adding and editing flashcards is good for you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-manually-adding-and-editing-flashcards-is-good-for-you
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki
Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands
Measuring your language learning is a double-edged sword: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword
6 benefits of learning Chinese through sports: https://www.hackingchinese.com/practising-sports-to-learn-chinese
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 24 Nov 2025 - 13min - 278 - 276 - 4, 3, 2, 1: Fluency! A great technique to boost your Mandarin speaking ability
Do you want to speak Mandarin fluently, no matter what your level is? Use the 4/3/2 technique to build confidence and flow!
#learnchinese #fluency #fluent #432 #speaking #paulnation
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese
How to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input
How narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chinese
Hone your Chinese writing ability by writing summaries: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hone-your-chinese-writing-ability-by-writing-summaries
En route to spoken fluency via task repetition – the ‘4, 3, 2 technique’ and ‘Market place’ (The Language Gym): https://gianfrancoconti.com/2017/03/04/en-route-to-spoken-fluency-via-task-repetition-the-4-3-2-technique-and-market-place
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 17 Nov 2025 - 15min - 277 - 275 - How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese
How do native speakers talk about Chinese characters?
The writing system is not phonetic, so you can't spell out words, but it is still possible to talk about Chinese characters.
Let's explore how!
#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #spoken
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 2: Basic characters, components and radicals: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-2-basic-characters-components-and-radicals
The building blocks of Chinese, part 3: Compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters
Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters
Kickstart your Chinese character learning with the 100 most common radicals: http://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-character-learning-with-the-100-most-common-radicals
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 - 15min - 276 - 274 - Why not going to China now could actually be good for your Chinese
Going abroad to learn Chinese in an immersion environment can be great, but unless you plan to stay for years, you might be better off delaying your trip.
#learnchinese #immersion #travel #abroad #home
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Why not going to China now could actually be good for your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-not-going-to-china-now-could-actually-be-good-for-your-chinese/
You wont learn chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning
Will a Chinese-only rule improve your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-chinese-only-rules-good-for-learning
An introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard? https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard
Which Chinese language course should you take? https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-chinese-language-course-should-you-take
How I learnt Chinese, part 3: My first year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-3-first-year-taiwan
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner
Immersion at home or: Why you don’t have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 03 Nov 2025 - 11min - 275 - 273 - What a big Rubik’s Cube taught me about Chinese characters
How small can Chinese characters be while still being legible? How much information do they contain per unit area? And what can a big Rubik’s cube teach us about Chinese characters?
#learnchinese #hanzi #characters #pixelfont #rubikscube
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: What a big Rubik’s Cube taught me about Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-a-big-rubiks-cube-taught-me-about-chinese-characters/
What’s in a name? Hacking Chinese, 揭密中文: https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-name-hacking-chinese
Largest rotating puzzle cube mosaic: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/473622-largest-rubiks-cube-mosaic-image
Are simplified characters really simpler to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learn
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 2: From sound to meaning in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-2-from-sound-to-meaning-in-mandarin
Beyond ting bu dong part 3 using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese
Escape: A text adventure game for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/escape-text-adventure-game-chinese-learners
36 samples of Chinese handwriting from students and native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/36-samples-of-chines-handwriting-from-students-and-native-speakers
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 27 Oct 2025 - 25min - 274 - 272 - Learning (or not learning) Chinese slang
Slang and swearing often top the list of what people want to learn in a foreign language. But is this curiosity actually helpful for learners, or just a fun distraction?
#learnchinese #slang #vocabulary #swearing
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Learning (or not learning) Chinese slang: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/
3 things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
Duang - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duang
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 20 Oct 2025 - 12min - 273 - 271 - 7 ways to learn to write Chinese characters
Learning to write characters is an integral part of learning Chinese, but how do you practise writing them? Do you type? Write on paper? Or… on the canvas of your mind?
#learnchinese #chinesecharacters #hanzi #writing #vocabulary #typing
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: 7 ways to learn to write Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-ways-of-learning-to-write-chinese-characters/
Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Handwriting Chinese characters: The minimum requirements: https://www.hackingchinese.com/handwriting-chinese-characters-the-minimum-requirements/
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
All the resources you need to learn and teach Chinese stroke order: https://www.hackingchinese.com/everything-you-need-to-learn-chinese-stroke-order/
How to improve your Chinese handwriting: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-handwriting/
The building blocks of Chinese: Mastering compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters/
The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/
Pleco Software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/go/pleco/
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system
Skritter Review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
About cheating, spaced repetition and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-cheating-spaced-repetition-and-learning-chinese/
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
25 books I read in Chinese last year: https://www.hackingchinese.com/25-books-i-read-in-chinese-last-year/
How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/
Remember how to write Chinese characters with less effort: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 13 Oct 2025 - 17min - 272 - 270 - How to not teach Chinese characters to beginners: A 12-step approach
I started learning Chinese well over a decade ago, and I have encountered many great teachers. But I have also seen truly terrible teaching, especially when it comes to Chinese characters.
#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #teaching
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-teach-chinese-characters-to-beginners-a-12-step-approach/
Note: This is an updated version of episode 3, originally published in 2020.
How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/
Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters?https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Why you should think of characters in terms of functional components:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-think-of-characters-in-terms-of-functional-components/
Should you learn the pronunciation of radicals?https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-pronunciation-of-radicals/
Learning Chinese characters through pictures:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/
Phonetic components, part 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/
An introduction to spaced repetition software:https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
Handwriting Chinese characters: The minimum requirements:https://www.hackingchinese.com/handwriting-chinese-characters-the-minimum-requirements/
A minimum effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand:https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Learn to read Chinese with ease:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-to-read-chinese-with-ease/
Chinese character learning for all students:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?:https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/
Simplified and traditional Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/simplified-and-traditional-chinese/
Are simplified characters really simpler to learn?https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learn/
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
Pleco:http://hackingchinese.com/pleco
Outlier Linguistics character dictionary review:https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 06 Oct 2025 - 10min - 271 - 269 - Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese
Chinese character components are usually placed in predictable ways, so if you remember the components, you can often write the character. But not always. Some characters share components but differ only in how they're arranged.
#learnchinese #charcaters #hanzi #compounds #components #composition
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-characters-components-different-meanings/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/
An introduction to spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
Shapeshifting Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/shapeshifting-chinese-characters/
Don’t use mnemonics to remember things you don’t need to remember: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 - 13min - 270 - 268 - 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back
Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore 8 more myths that might be holding you back!
#learnchinese #myths #hanzi #input #study
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Learning to unicycle, learning anatomy and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-unicycle-learning-anatomy-and-learning-chinese/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/
Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Learning Chinese characters through pictures: A warning and a how-to: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/
Phonetic components, part 1: The key to 80% of all Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/
Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/
Are there any shortcuts for learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-there-any-shortcuts-for-learning-chinese/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/
The importance of knowing many words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
20 Actually Useful Chengyu (Carl Gene Fordham) https://carlgene.com/blog/2010/07/20-actually-useful-chengyu-%E6%88%90%E8%AF%AD/
Chengyu, a magic key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 22 Sep 2025 - 25min - 269 - 267 - How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor
Most Chinese learners want one thing above all: to speak better. Many turn to a teacher for guidance, but that is only the first step. True progress depends on how you work with that teacher.
#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #speaking #lessons
Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The best resources for learning Chinese through listening in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/guides/chinese-listening-resources/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: the best resources and tools: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Course for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-the-ultimate-course-for-beginners/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/
Is taking a Chinese course that’s too hard good for your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-taking-a-chinese-course-thats-too-hard-good-for-your-learning/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Learning too many words at once: Consequences and solutions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-too-many-words-at-once-consequences-and-solutions/
Don’t try to improve everything at once: Focus on one thing at a time instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-try-to-improve-everything-at-once-focus-on-one-thing-at-a-time-instead/
Will a Chinese-only rule improve your speaking ability?
https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-chinese-only-rule-improve-your-speaking-ability/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-comprehensible-input/
Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/
How I learnt Chinese, part 4: My second year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-4%EF%BC%9A-second-year-taiwan/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 15 Sep 2025 - 21min - 268 - 266 - What important words are missing from HSK?
HSK is the most widely used proficiency test for Chinese, and many learners aim to master the vocabulary at each level. Yet some of the most important words are missing from the HSK.
#learnchinese #hsk #vocabulary
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-important-words-are-missing-from-hsk/
Note: This is a rerecorded version of episode 2 originally published in 2020.
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Using the HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese/
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
The most common Chinese words, characters and components for language learners and teachers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-most-common-chinese-words-characters-and-components-for-language-learners-and-teachers/
Filling gaps in your Chinese vocabulary: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mapping-the-terra-incognita-of-vocabulary/
Skritter Review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 08 Sep 2025 - 18min - 267 - 265 - 5 common challenges in Mandarin listening comprehension and how to overcome them
Can you ask questions in Mandarin but struggle to understand the answers? Do you feel that you know the words, but people just speak too fast? And why do words in Chinese sound so similar?
#learnchinese #listening #fluent #comprehension #course
Link The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s Four Strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 01 Sep 2025 - 15min - 266 - 264 - Learning Chinese through comprehensible input
Can you really learn Mandarin through listening and reading alone? What is comprehensible input, and how do you get enough of it?And how do speaking, writing, grammar, and flashcards fit in?
#learnchinese #comprehensibleinput #ci #input #reading #listening
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/
20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Playing word games to practise fluency: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/
Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/
Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well-suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/
An introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 25 Aug 2025 - 20min - 265 - 263 - Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese
The fastest way to learn to communicate in Chinese is to learn classroom expressions first. Master essential phrases that help you learn Mandarin without relying on English!
#learnchinese #classroom #teaching #expressions #phrases #vocabulary
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/
Unlocking Chinese: The ultimate course for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Will a Chinese-only rule improve your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-chinese-only-rules-good-for-learning/
Why you should learn Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-learn-chinese-in-chinese/
Categories in the list:
Ensuring comprehension and seeking clarification:https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section1
Lesson and learning activity flow:https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section2
Feedback and encouragement: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section3
Talking about the Chinese Language in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section4
Online and technology-related phrases:https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section5
Formal education-specific phrases:https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section6
Everything in traditional characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#trad
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 18 Aug 2025 - 10min - 264 - 262 - Getting the most from Hacking Chinese in 2025: Back-to-school course discount, 2025
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, 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/
Use the code “kai1xue2” before the end of August 20!
Tags: #learnchinese #course #howto #guidance #discount #backtoschool
Link to Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence (for all learners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Link to Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Course for Beginners (get off to a good start or make sure you haven’t missed anything): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Link to Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin (for all learners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
Link to The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water (for all learners, opens in late August): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Link to video version of the introduction to The Fluent Listener: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jljUemN-Vck
Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 11 Aug 2025 - 25min - 263 - 261 - Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?
Should you learn Chinese characters from the start, or focus on speaking first? There are good arguments for both approaches, but one makes more sense for most students.
Please note: This is a rerecorded version of episode 1. That means that it's both episode 1 and episode 261.
#learnchinese #mandarin #hanzi #spoken #written
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/
Chinese character learning for all students:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand:https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Kickstart your learning with the Skritter character course:https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
Why is listening in Chinese so hard?https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/
Learning pronunciation as a beginner:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-pronunciation-as-a-beginner/
The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
Focus on initials and finals, not Pinyin spelling:https://www.hackingchinese.com/focus-on-initials-and-finals-not-pinyin-spelling/
Anki, a friendly, intelligent spaced learning system:https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/
Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki:https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki/
Introduction: Comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning/
The Input Pyramid: Chinese listening for any situation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/
The most common Chinese words, characters and components for language learners and teachers:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-most-common-chinese-words-characters-and-components-for-language-learners-and-teachers/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 04 Aug 2025 - 15min - 262 - 260 - 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand
Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 more popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand to see if they hold up to scrutiny.
#learnchinese #handwriting #hanzi #chinesecharacters
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 28 Jul 2025 - 20min - 261 - 259 - Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice
You don’t need to be fluent to speak Mandarin with AI. These beginner-friendly chatbot activities offer low-pressure practice that builds confidence, comprehension, and conversation skills.
#learnchinese #ai #chatbot #chatgpt #speaking #input
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-ai-chatbots-for-low-stress-mandarin-speaking-practice/
The new HSK 3.0: What you need to know:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-hsk-3-0-what-you-need-to-know/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
The best Chinese reading practice for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Course for Beginners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Using speech recognition to improve Chinese pronunciation, part 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-speech-recognition-to-improve-chinese-pronunciation-part-1/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands:https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 - 13min - 260 - 258 - How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide
A great tutor can accelerate your learning, but finding the right one isn’t easy. To get the best results, you need to be patient and try many options. Here is how!
#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #online #offline
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mandarin-tutor-for-you-a-complete-guide/
How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/
7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher:https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher/
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers:https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 14 Jul 2025 - 12min - 259 - 257 - Student Q&A: July, 2025: AI feedback, input methods and topics for writing
How do you get good feedback on your Chinese writing using AI? What’s the best input method for students? And how do you find interesting topics to write about?
#learnchinese #writing #ai #typing #topic
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A: July, 2025: AI feedback, input methods and topics for writing: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-july-2025-ai-feedback-input-methods-and-topics-for-writing/
Question 1: AI feedback
Improving your spoken and written Chinese by focusing on the process:https://www.hackingchinese.com/improving-your-spoken-and-written-chinese-by-focusing-on-the-process/
Question 2: Input methods
Chinese input methods: A guide for second language learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-input-methods-a-guide-for-second-language-learners/
Using speech recognition to improve Chinese pronunciation, part 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-speech-recognition-to-improve-chinese-pronunciation-part-1/
Question 3: Topics for writing
Hone your Chinese writing ability by writing summaries:https://www.hackingchinese.com/hone-your-chinese-writing-ability-by-writing-summaries/
12 ways chatting online will improve your Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chat-your-way-to-better-chinese
The Complete Book of Questions (Garry Poole): https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/1827/the_complete_book_of_questions_1001.pdf
Random Questions to Ask People (TeamBuilding.com): https://teambuilding.com/blog/random-questions
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 - 17min - 258 - 256 - 8 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand
Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand, each critically examined to see which ones truly stand up to scrutiny.
#learnchinese #handwriting #hanzi #chinesecharacters
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 8 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
Chinese character learning for all students:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
How to get good grades when studying Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter/
How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/
36 samples of Chinese handwriting from students and native speakers:https://www.hackingchinese.com/36-samples-of-chines-handwriting-from-students-and-native-speakers/
Learning to read handwritten Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-read-handwritten-chinese/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan:https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/
Learning styles: Use with caution! https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-styles-use-with-caution/
The persistence of comprehension (The Hexacoto): https://hexacoto.com/2014/03/12/the-persistence-of-comprehension/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 30 Jun 2025 - 24min - 257 - 255 - 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher
A great tutor can transform your Chinese learning, but how do you know if a tutor is good? Let's explore the key qualities that make a tutor truly effective!
#learnchinese #tutor #teacher
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher/
Take responsibility for your own learning now:https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/
What your Chinese course will not teach you:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/
The Hacking Chinese Podcast:https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/
The virtues of language exchanges:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/
How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?:https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/
How to become fluent in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Learning Chinese comprehensible input:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Preview every Chinese lesson:https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/
Time quality and studying Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
Learn Chinese faster by leaving your comfort zone:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-faster-leaving-comfort-zone/
How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 23 Jun 2025 - 17min - 256 - 254 - How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions
Having a tutor can be great for learning Chinese, but how much progress you make depends as much on you as on the tutor. Come prepared, stay engaged, and make the most of each session!
#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #student
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/
Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/
What your Chinese course will not teach you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/
The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/
How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it, and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Learning Chinese comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Preview every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/
Time quality and studying Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 - 17min - 255 - 253 - 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back
Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore eight myths that might be holding you back!
#learnchinese #myths #hanzi #pronunciation #study
Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back/
6 things in Chinese that are harder to learn than they seem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-things-in-chinese-that-are-harder-to-learn-than-they-seem/
Chinese is possible to learn as an adult: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-might-be-too-lazy-to-learn-chinese-but-youre-not-too-old/
Is Chinese difficult to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-chinese-difficult-to-learn/
How long have you studied Chinese: 200 years or 58,992 hours? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-long-have-you-studied-chinese-290-years-or-58-992-hours/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Learning Chinese is useful no matter how much or how little you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/long-study-chinese-make-useful/
Chinese courses won’t teach you everything: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/
Using the HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese/
Should you throw away your Chinese textbook? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-throw-away-your-chinese-textbook/
Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/
Immersion at home or why you don’t have to go abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
You won’t learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/
Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner.: https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend/
The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
The importance of tones is inversely proportional to the predictability of what you say: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-tones-is-inversely-proportional-to-the-predictability-of-what-you-say/
Tone errors in Mandarin that actually can cause confusion: https://www.hackingchinese.com/tone-errors-in-mandarin-that-actually-can-cause-confusion/
What native speakers know and what they don’t: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-native-speakers-know-and-what-they-dont/
Standardised pronunciation in Chinese and why you want it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/standardised-pronunciation-in-chinese-and-why-you-want-it/
How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 09 Jun 2025 - 29min - 254 - 252 - Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 7: How to navigate different types of listening in Mandarin
Listening is essential when learning Mandarin, but not all listening situations are the same. By recognising different types of listening, you can improve your chances of successfully navigating spoken Mandarin.
#learnchinese #listening #conversations #comprehension
The best podcasts for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
Listening strategies: Diversify your listening practice:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-strategies-diversify-your-listening-practice/
Learning Chinese through audiobooks:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-audio-books/
Learning Chinese as an introverted student:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-student/
The virtues of language exchanges:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/
The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 02 Jun 2025 - 16min - 253 - 251 - Student Q&A: June, 2025: Beginner listening, group conversations, and Chinese news
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 Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Links for question 1
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2025:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
Links for question 2
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/
Links for question
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard?:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Thu, 29 May 2025 - 16min - 252 - 250 - Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin?
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 Chinese help you learn Mandarin? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-reading-hacking-chinese-help-you-learn-mandarin/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/
Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well suited to learning Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/
Learning Chinese is more like walking a thousand miles than running 100-metre dash:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-is-more-like-walking-a-thousand-miles-than-running-100-metre-dash/
You can't learn Chinese characters by rote:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote/
Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters?https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Tue, 20 May 2025 - 09min - 251 - 249 - Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters
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/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters/
Zi.tools 字統网:https://zi.tools/
5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: Superficial forms to deep structure:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Outlier Chinese Character Masterclass review: Understand more, learn faster, remember longer:https://www.hackingchinese.com/outlier-chinese-character-masterclass-review-understand-more-learn-faster-remember-longer/
Review: The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
21 essential dictionaries and corpora for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/21-essential-dictionaries-and-corpora-for-learning-chinese/
Chinese character variants and font differences for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-variants-and-fonts-for-language-learners/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 12 May 2025 - 12min - 250 - 248 - Student Q&A: May, 2025: Learning Chinese characters and words with flashcard apps
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-and-words-with-flashcard-apps/
Link to vocabulary challenge: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-vocabulary-challenge/
Links to articles mentioned in this episode:
Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/
How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Should you use an efficient method for learning Chinese even if you hate it? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-use-an-efficient-method-for-learning-chinese-even-if-you-hate-it/
Are you practising Chinese the right way? Is your method valid? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-you-practising-chinese-the-right-way/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Tue, 06 May 2025 - 12min - 249 - 247 - 7 kinds of tone problems in Mandarin and what to do about them
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/
Learning tones in Mandarin is not optional: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-tones-in-mandarin-is-not-optional/
The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/
Learning the second tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-second-tone-in-mandarin-chinese/
Learning the neutral tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-neutral-tone-in-mandarin/
How to learn to hear the tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-tones-in-mandarin/
Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/
Mimicking native speakers as a way of learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/
The art of being corrected: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
Recording yourself to improve your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/recording-yourself-to-improve-speaking-ability/
The Hacking Chinese pronunciation course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Free pronunciation lesson available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AMx6A_EMXwI?feature=shared
A smart method to discover problems with tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-smart-method-to-discover-problems-with-tones/
Focusing on tone pairs to improve your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/focusing-on-tone-pairs-to-improve-your-mandarin-pronunciation/
Free tone pairs sneak peek on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0G1Yp6snKcM?feature=shared
Extending mnemonics for learning Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights/
Optional and obligatory tone change rules in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/optional-obligatory-tone-change-rules-mandarin/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 28 Apr 2025 - 16min - 248 - 246 - Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability
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: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-using-a-good-dictionary-can-be-bad-for-your-chinese-reading-ability/
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/
Related reading: Pinyin over characters: The crippling crutch (Mandarin Companion): https://mandarincompanion.com/blog/pinyin-over-characters-the-crippling-crutch/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 21 Apr 2025 - 13min - 247 - 245 - The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners
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: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 - 12min - 246 - 244 - Student Q&A: April, 2025: Reading with Pinyin, Chinese texts on your phone, and deciphering handwriting
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 handwriting: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-april-2025-reading-with-pinyin-chinese-texts-on-your-phone-and-deciphering-handwriting/
Chinese reading challenge, April 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-challenge/
This month’s challenge is sponsored by mylingua: https://www.mylingua.world/landing/hackingchinese/
Links for question 1: Reading with Pinyin
Focusing on Chinese tones without being distracted by Pinyin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/focusing-on-mandarin-tones-without-being-distracted-by-pinyin/
Links for question 2: Reading Chinese on your phone
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading (by David Moser): https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/
Why you should read Chinese on your phone: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-read-chinese-on-your-phone/
Links for question 3: Reading handwritten Chinese
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Learning to read handwritten Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-read-handwritten-chinese/
Learning to understand regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/
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More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 07 Apr 2025 - 17min - 245 - 243 - How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation
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://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Remembering is a skill you can learn:https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components/
The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/
7 kinds of tone problems and what to do about them:https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-kinds-tone-problems/
Does using colour to represent Mandarin tones make them easier to learn?https://www.hackingchinese.com/does-using-colour-to-represent-mandarin-tones-make-them-easier-to-learn/
Don’t use mnemonics for everything:https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 - 14min - 244 - 242 - Don’t be a tourist if you want to learn Chinese
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 living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/
Why travelling isn’t the best method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/pros-and-cons-with-travelling-to-learn-a-language/
How I learnt Chinese, part 4: My second year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-4%EF%BC%9A-second-year-taiwan/
Escaping the convenience trap to learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-convenience-trap/
8 tips for learning Chinese as an introverted student: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-student/
The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 - 12min - 243 - 241 - Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese
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.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/
Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well-suited to learning Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better:https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/
Anki, the best of spaced repetition software:https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/
Pleco Software – The #1 Chinese dictionary app for iOS and Android:https://www.pleco.com/
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/
Spaced repetition software and why you should use it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
How to get good grades when studying Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Learn Chinese efficiently, not quickly:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-efficiently-vs-learning-quickly/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 17 Mar 2025 - 13min - 242 - 240 - The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese
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/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
There are way too many links to specific YouTube channels, playlists and videos to put in the show notes here, so please refer to the written article for the recommendations. Below, I have included links to related articles on Hacking Chinese only.
The best podcasts for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
Learning Chinese implicitly through exposure and seasoning, not through explicit instruction:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands:https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-use-youtube-and-other-video-platforms-to-learn-chinese/
Listen before you read: Improve your listening ability:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-before-you-read-improve-your-listening-ability/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading:https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/
Listen more and learn more by building a personal Chinese audio library:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-and-learn-more-by-building-a-personal-chinese-audio-library/
The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 - 12min - 241 - 239 - Student Q&A: March, 2025: Chinese slang, leaving expat bubbles, and competing with other learners
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: March, 2025: Chinese slang, leaving expat bubbles, and competing with other learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-march-2025-chinese-slang-leaving-expat-bubbles-and-competing-with-other-learners/
Links for question 1 about other people learning faster
How long do you have to study Chinese to make it useful?https://www.hackingchinese.com/long-study-chinese-make-useful/
Why your Chinese isn’t as good as you think it ought to be:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-your-chinese-isnt-as-good-as-you-think-it-ought-to-be/
Links for question 2 about learning Chinese as an expat
You won’t learn Chinese simply by living abroad:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Links for question 3 about slang:
Learning (or not learning) Chinese slang:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists?https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Tue, 04 Mar 2025 - 15min - 240 - 238 - Learning Chinese by playing board games
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 computer games to learn Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/diablo-3-and-starcraft-2-playing-computer-games-in-chinese/
Learning Chinese with StarCraft 2:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-with-starcraft-2/
Playing word games to practise fluency:https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/
Escape! A text adventure game for Chinese learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/escape-text-adventure-game-chinese-learners/
Learning Chinese by playing Mahjong 麻將 (májiàng): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-by-playing-mahjong-麻將-majiang/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Have fun, or else:https://www.hackingchinese.com/have-fun-or-else/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
How and why to teach Chinese through games:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-and-why-to-teach-chinese-through-games/
Use the benefits of teaching to boost your own learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/use-the-benefits-of-teaching-to-boost-your-own-learning/
Skritter review: Boosting your character learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
Rules for Settlers of Catan (Simplified Chinese):https://t.co/OA5TZjfYGe
Rules for Settlers of Catan (Traditional Chinese): http://phantasiatw.pixnet.net/blog/post/117197942-卡坦島基本版-規則+心得
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 - 10min - 239 - 237 - Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner
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: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend/
How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/
You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/
Chinese listening strategies: Diversify your listening practice:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-strategies-diversify-your-listening-practice/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
The three roads to mastering Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese/
How to find a suitable Chinese name: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-a-suitable-chinese-name/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-in-mandarin-chinese/
Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad-to-learn-chinese/
You might be too lazy to learn Chinese, but you're not too old:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-might-be-too-lazy-to-learn-chinese-but-youre-not-too-old/
Pros and cons with travelling to learn a language:https://www.hackingchinese.com/pros-and-cons-with-travelling-to-learn-a-language/
Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad-to-learn-chinese/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-in-mandarin-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 - 11min - 238 - 236 - The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation
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 introduction to the course:https://youtu.be/jljUemN-Vck
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
How to become fluent in Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands:https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how:https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading:https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/
Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension:https://www.hackingchinese.com/four-key-principles-to-improve-your-mandarin-listening-comprehension/
100 hours of Chinese listening in 3 weeks: What I learnt and how to apply it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/100-hours-of-chinese-listening-in-3-weeks-what-i-learnt-and-how-to-apply-it/
Listen more and learn more by building a personal Chinese audio library:https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-and-learn-more-by-building-a-personal-chinese-audio-library/
7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese listening practice:https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at:https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 10 Feb 2025 - 19min - 237 - 235 - Student Q&A: February, 2025: Improving listening ability quickly, using transcripts, and understanding rapid Mandarin
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 Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Links for question 1: When to use transcripts
Student Q&A, May 2024: Understanding strangers, listening with transcripts, and which podcasts to avoid (episode 189, not 210 as I say in the podcast): https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-may-2024-understanding-your-teacher-but-nobody-else-listening-with-transcripts-and-why-i-dont-recommend-some-popular-podcasts/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Links for question 2: Levelling up listening ability
100 hours of Chinese listening in 3 weeks: What I learnt and how to apply it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/100-hours-of-chinese-listening-in-3-weeks-what-i-learnt-and-how-to-apply-it/
7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese listening practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/
Three steps to more and better Chinese listening practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-steps-to-more-and-better-listening-practice/
Links for question 3: Listening to rapid Mandarin
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
An introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Wed, 05 Feb 2025 - 13min - 236 - 234 - Reader and listener survey + Lunar New Year discount
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-chinese-reader-and-listener-survey/
Chinese New Year and New Semester Course Discount: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-new-year-and-new-semester-course-discounts/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 27 Jan 2025 - 06min - 235 - 233 - The three roads to mastering Chinese
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.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Can you become fluent in Chinese in three months?https://www.hackingchinese.com/benny-lewis-fluent-mandarin-in-3-months/
What native speakers know and what they don’t:https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-native-speakers-know-and-what-they-dont/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
The 10,000-hour rule: Blood, sweat and tears:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10000-hour-rule-blood-sweat-and-tears/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Mandarin like a fish in water:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
How I learnt Chinese, part 7: Teaching, writing, learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-7-teaching-writing-learning/
Language learning with a Chinese girlfriend or boyfriend:https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend/
You won’t learn Chinese simply by living abroad:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 - 13min - 234 - 232 - Best of Hacking Chinese 2024
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://www.hackingchinese.com/best-of-hacking-chinese-2024
The Fluent Listener: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
The best articles, editor's choice:
5. Insights from Skritter’s Complete Guide to Learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/interview-insights-from-skritters-complete-guide-to-learning-chinese/
4. Chinese character learning for all students:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
3. Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/
2. Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension:https://www.hackingchinese.com/four-key-principles-to-improve-your-mandarin-listening-comprehension/
1. Three things I wish I had known as a beginner/intermediate/advanced student of Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/
The best articles, popular vote:
5. Chinese character variants and fonts for language learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-variants-and-fonts-for-language-learners/
4. Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
3. 24 great resources for improving your Mandarin pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/24-great-resources-for-improving-your-mandarin-pronunciation/
2. The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
1. The best podcasts for learning Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
The best podcast episodes:
5. How I used a notebook to learn more Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-really-should-use-a-chinese-notebook/
4. Three things I wish I had known as a beginner/intermediate/advanced student of Chinese: The time machine: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/
3. Why is listening in Chinese so hard?:https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/
2. The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
1. The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
Courses on Hacking Chinese:
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 13 Jan 2025 - 17min - 233 - 231 - Student Q&A, January 2025: Chinese that reads like English, feedback from AI, and writing formal Chinese
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’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/
Chinese writing challenge, January 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-writing-challenge/
20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability/
Links for question #1:
The beginner’s guide to Chinese translation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-beginners-guide-to-chinese-translation/
Links for question #2:
How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
Improving your spoken and written Chinese by focusing on the process: https://www.hackingchinese.com/improving-your-spoken-and-written-chinese-by-focusing-on-the-process/
Links for question #3:
How to improve your Chinese writing ability through focused reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability-through-focused-reading/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Tue, 07 Jan 2025 - 18min - 232 - 230 - What native speakers know about Chinese (and what they don't)
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.hackingchinese.com/what-native-speakers-know-and-what-they-dont/
Standardised pronunciation in Chinese and why you want it:https://www.hackingchinese.com/standardised-pronunciation-in-chinese-and-why-you-want-it/
Can native speakers be wrong about Chinese grammar and pronunciation?:https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-right-and-wrong-when-learning-chinese/
Learning to understand regionally accented Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/
The art of being corrected:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/
Introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning:https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning/
Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/
Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/
How learning some basic theory can improve your pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation/
7 things you were taught in Chinese class that are actually wrong:https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-things-you-were-taught-in-chinese-class-that-are-actually-wrong/
Introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 30 Dec 2024 - 19min - 231 - 229 - Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese
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 everything when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1 Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Review The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
Remembering the Hanzi (Amazon.com):https://amzn.to/3P6Lm9a
Student Q&A, June 2024 How much time on flashcards, Remembering the Hanzi, and resources for learning charactershttps://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-june-2024-how-much-time-on-flashcards-remembering-the-hanzi-and-resources-for-learning-characters/
Unlocking Chinese The Ultimate Guide for Beginners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Hacking Chinese A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/
You can't learn Chinese characters by rote:https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote/
Remembering is a skill you can learn:https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components
Extending mnemonics Tones and pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights/
The building blocks of Chinese Characters, components, radicals:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-2-basic-characters-components-and-radicals/
Phonetic components, part 1 The key to 80% of all Chinese characters:https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/
Outlier Chinese Character Masterclass review Understand more, learn faster, remember longer:https://www.hackingchinese.com/outlier-chinese-character-masterclass-review-understand-more-learn-faster-remember-longer/
Chinese characters with the same components in different places:https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-characters-components-different-meanings
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 23 Dec 2024 - 16min - 230 - 228 - Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated
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 to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau/
Using HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: Pros and cons: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese/
Reading speed revisited: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-speed-revisited/
Learning to read aloud in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-read-aloud-in-chinese/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchines.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/
Why you should start blogging in Chinese today: https://www.hackingchinese.com/start-blogging-in-chinese/
Is it necessary to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand
Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-chinese-voice/
Using voice messaging as a stepping stone to Chinese conversations: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-voice-messaging-practise-speaking-listening/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Chinese language logging, part 1: Why and how to track your progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-language-logging-part-1-why-and-how-to-track-your-progress
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 16 Dec 2024 - 26min - 229 - 227 - Can English learning materials help you learn Chinese?
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 English learning materials help you learn Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/can-you-use-english-learning-materials-to-study-chinese/
The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/
Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea/
The most common Chinese words, characters and components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-most-common-chinese-words-characters-and-components-for-language-learners-and-teachers/
Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better
The best free Chinese reading practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
250+ resources for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/500-resources-for-learning-and-teaching-chinese-tagged-by-level-topic-and-type/
The 7 best Chinese reading practice resources for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
What to read to improve your Chinese and why: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-to-read-to-improve-your-chinese-and-why/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 09 Dec 2024 - 12min - 228 - 226 - Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary
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 characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-december-2024-learning-similar-chinese-characters-polyphonic-characters-and-flashcards-vs-reading-for-building-vocabulary/
Chinese vocabulary challenge, December 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-vocabulary-challenge/
Courses on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/
Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/
Links for question 1:
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Phonetic components, part 2: Hacking Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-2-hacking-chinese-characters/
Remembering is a skill you can learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/
How to create mnemonics for general or abstract character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components/
Links for question 2:
Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/
Links for question 3:
Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 02 Dec 2024 - 19min - 227 - 225 - Which Chinese learning resources are worth paying for?
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 learning resources are worth paying for? https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-learning-tools-and-resources-worth-paying-for/
Black Friday discounts for Hacking Chinese courses: https://www.hackingchinese.com/black-friday-discounts-for-hacking-chinese-courses/
The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The cheapest and most convenient way to improve your spoken Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-way-to-improve-your-spoken-chinese/
The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
24 great resources for improving your Mandarin pronunciation:https://www.hackingchinese.com/24-great-resources-for-improving-your-mandarin-pronunciation/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability:https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability/
Anki: A friendly, intelligent spaced learning system:https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/
The Hacking Chinese Podcast:https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/
5 websites to help answer your questions about Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-websites-to-help-answer-your-questions-about-chinese/
Pleco:https://www.hackingchinese.com/pleco
Hanping:https://www.hackingchinese.com/hanping
Review: The Outlier Linguistics Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
Outlier Chinese character masterclass review: Understand more, learn faster, remember longer:https://www.hackingchinese.com/outlier-chinese-character-masterclass-review-understand-more-learn-faster-remember-longer/
The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell:https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/
Should you throw away your Chinese textbook?https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-throw-away-your-chinese-textbook/
Integrated Chinese:http://amzn.to/1K8jzjE
A Course in Contemporary Chinese:https://amzn.to/3OlCPPp
Unlocking Chinese: The ultimate guide for beginners:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
Review: Mandarin Companion graded readers level 1:https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-mandarin-companion-graded-readers-level-1/
Chinese Breeze:http://www.chinesebreeze.net/
Mandarin Chinese pronunciation course:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Training your Chinese teacher, part 2: Speaking ability:https://www.hackingchinese.com/training-your-chinese-teacher-part-2-speaking-ability/
Pros and cons with travelling to learn a language:https://www.hackingchinese.com/pros-and-cons-with-travelling-to-learn-a-language/
Boosting your character learning with Skritter:https://www.hackingchinese.com/boosting-your-character-learning-with-skritter/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com/
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 25 Nov 2024 - 16min - 226 - 224 - Welcome to The Fluent Listener, a new course from Hacking Chinese!
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 water!
The Fluent Listener is a new course from Hacking Chinese. You can learn more about the course by going to:https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Watch a video introducing the course here:https://youtu.be/jljUemN-Vck
#learnchinese #listening #fluent #comprehension #course
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 18 Nov 2024 - 08min - 225 - 223 - Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension
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 principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/four-key-principles-to-improve-your-mandarin-listening-comprehension/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
Habit hacking for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learners/
Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/
The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better/
Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/
8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/
The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 11 Nov 2024 - 16min - 224 - 222 - Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts
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 of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-november-2024-pros-and-cons-of-digital-tools-for-chinese-reading-and-the-struggle-to-find-comprehensible-and-interesting-texts/
Chinese reading challenge, November 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-challenge/
The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/
How technology can help you learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/
How technology can stop you from learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-can-stop-learning-chinese/
Pleco: https://www.pleco.com/pleco
Outlier Linguistics Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/
Hanping: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hanping
DuChinese: https://www.duchinese.net/
Chairman’s Bao: https://www.thechairmansbao.com/
MyLingua: https://www.mylingua.world/landing/hackingchinese/
The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/
Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
Have fun learning Chinese or else… https://www.hackingchinese.com/have-fun-or-else/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Mon, 04 Nov 2024 - 16min
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Enquêtes criminelles RTL
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Le grand récit RTL
Les Grosses Têtes RTL
L'Heure Du Crime RTL
Parlons-nous RTL
El Larguero SER Podcast
SER Historia SER Podcast
Todo Concostrina SER Podcast
Un Libro Una Hora SER Podcast
