When you’re out using your Chinese in the real world, it’s actually somewhat rare to hear “perfect,” textbook Mandarin. While this can be confusing, there are patterns that you can look out for to help you understand different accents. Dialects vs. Accents Across the Chinese-speaking world, people grow up speaking all kinds of regional dialects,…
Once you have a good system for learning vocabulary, mastering Chinese grammar, and memorizing new characters, learners might overlook some more advanced aspects of Chinese that can help you reach new heights. Read on for our advice on how to take your Chinese to the next level! When am I an intermediate learner? While tests…
Idioms (成語chéng yǔ) are uniquely important in the Chinese language. Often references or quotes from important classical texts, they can spice up your writing, improve your understanding of Chinese culture, and make you sound cultured and well read if used properly in conversation. Learning about idioms will not only help you in learning the language,…
Classical Chinese, also known as literary Chinese, is a form of writing that defined writing and literature in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam for centuries, but what is it? What is Classical Chinese? Classical Chinese (文言文wén yán wén) is a literary language that was once used in China and across East Asia as the defacto…
One of the many things that makes Chinese such a fascinating language to learn is the wealth of idioms, proverbs, and expressions that you’ll come across, many of which come directly from ancient literature. While digging into this side of Chinese might seem a bit overwhelming at first, the ancient historical novel “Romance of the…
The cultures of China and Japan, with their beautiful calligraphy, stunning architecture, long history and influence on the global stage attract learners from around the world to try their hand at these fascinating languages. While both language learning experiences are truly rewarding and interesting, each comes with different challenges. If you’re on the fence about…
Today, we’re going to explore a unique experience – your first-ever 北京běijīng之旅zhī lǚ – trip to Beijing. Flying into a new country, especially when faced with a language barrier, can seem daunting. But don’t worry! We’re here to equip you with the essential phrases and vocabulary for a seamless experience, right from the moment you…
Do you love boba tea but lack the vocabulary to order one? Here is the perfect guide for you!
One of the first things any student of Chinese learns to say is “谢谢 (xièxiè)”, i.e. Thank You. This phrase is useful because it can be used to express your gratitude (or 感恩 (gǎn’ēn)) in pretty much any situation. For those wanting to be a little more formal you can say “谢谢你 (xièxiè nǐ)”. However,…
The two keys to learning and mastering Chinese come down to input and output. Input in the form of reading and listening and output in the form of speaking and writing. You can’t really start with the output because you can’t say a word that you don’t know. But it’s also inefficient to read or…
