Chinese isn’t just a language; it’s a gateway to one of the world’s oldest and most influential cultures. In 2025, learning Chinese can open up a world of opportunities. As the most spoken language on the planet, Chinese connects you to over 1.3 billion people, offering you unique cultural insights, career advantages, and personal growth.…
Have you downloaded Rednote (Xiaohongshu)? If you’re on it, you’ve probably seen tons of posts about Chinese phrases and expressions. They might look simple, but when you try to translate them, they can leave you scratching your head. For example, take this phrase: “你真会来事儿” (Nǐ zhēn huì lái shìr).
Have you ever found Mandarin tones to be particularly challenging? Unlike many languages we’re used to, Mandarin’s tonal system is truly one of a kind—it can feel like navigating a tricky maze. A slight misstep in pronunciation, and it’s easy to lose your way! But don’t worry.…
“Why do Mandarin questions require both tones and intonation?” When I first started learning Mandarin, this question puzzled me. In Mandarin, asking questions involves not only intonation to indicate inquiry but also maintaining precise tones for each word. For instance, in the sentence “你去哪儿?”(Nǐ qù nǎr, Where are you going?),…
As we stand at the beginning of 2025, with the much-anticipated Year of the Snake just around the corner, let’s explore the unique slangs that signify a wonderful start of the year together and feel the charm of the interweaving of the Chinese language and Chinese culture.…
In the face of increasing globalization, Chinese, one of the world’s most spoken languages, is attracting people from all over the world to learn it. However, for those who start learning Chinese from scratch, it is not an easy journey and is full of challenges. Let’s analyze the five major challenges in the process of learning Chinese and discuss the corresponding strategies.…
For those of you new to Chinese language tests, HSKK stands for “汉语水平口语考试 (hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǒuyǔ kǎoshì)” and is a standardized oral test that aims to test examinees’ ability in spoken Chinese.
● HSKK Test Prep (Beginner Level) ● HSKK Test Prep (Intermediate Level) ● HSKK Test Prep (Advanced Level) Lately, the questions about how to prepare for the HSKK Intermediate exam have been flooding in.…
I used to be puzzled by “等红灯 (děng hóng dēng)”. I found out it means “Wait for the green light”, but it seemed strange to me. The first time I heard my Chinese friend say this, I thought they were joking. “红灯 (hóng dēng, red lights)” clearly means “stop,” and “绿灯 ( lǜ dēng, green lights)” means “go,” so why say “等红灯 (děng hóng dēng)”? …
An essential part of learning Chinese, or any other foreign language, is to follow the popular slang of contemporary life. Much of this I have learned by watching popular Chinese dramas and comedy shows, just as many Chinese people learned English slang through watching Friends. One spoken term I heard on TV and asked my Chinese teacher about is “电灯泡 (diàndēngpào)”.…
Are you preparing for the HSK exam (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) but feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone! Many learners face difficulties with vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills, which are key areas for success. This guide highlights common mistakes to avoid and how to overcome them to achieve your desired HSK level.…
One of my favorite aspects of living and studying in China is that I get to learn about and take part in holidays that are completely new and very exciting for me. While some Chinese holidays such as New Year, the Moon Festival and the Dragon Boat festival I had known before arriving in China, there are also some lesser-known holidays such as the one that I will introduce today, 重阳节 (Chóngyángjié) the Double Ninth holiday.…
Almost without exception, every holiday, especially ones only celebrated in certain parts of the world, have specific foods associated with them. American Thanksgivings feature roast turkey, Greeks prepare lamb for Christmas, and saffron buns are baked for St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden. Chinese holidays are no exception, with the Dragon Boat Festival’s steamed rice dumplings and Mid-Autumn Festival moon cakes.…
Preparing for the HSK 1 exam is an exciting journey into the world of Mandarin Chinese. This foundational test assesses your ability to understand and use simple Chinese phrases and sentences. To help you study effectively and achieve success, here are five key strategies, along with practical tips.…
Many adult beginners learning Mandarin experience anxiety during communication, which can sometimes lead to giving up. However, this is a normal part of the language learning process. Here are some practical strategies to help you overcome communication fears and achieve fluency.
First, it is essential to acknowledge and embrace this anxiety.…
The “Mid-Autumn Festival” (中秋节 zhōng qiū jié) is one of the most celebrated traditional festivals in China. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a date associated with the full moon, symbolizing reunion, peace, and harmony. People across China and other parts of Asia gather with their families, admire the moon, and enjoy mooncakes.…
Chinese grammar can seem daunting for beginners, especially for those who are more familiar with the grammatical structures of Indo-European languages like English, Spanish, or French. However, with a solid understanding of the basics, you can demystify the complexities of Chinese and make significant progress in your language learning journey.…
狗屎运 (gǒushǐyùn), although sounds hilarious in English, is a slang to describe someone getting unexpected luck or good luck in bad days. The word “狗屎 (gǒushǐ)” means “dog shit” and “运 (yùn)” is from “运气 (yùnqi),” which means “fortune, luck.” This phrase comes from the old society in China when there was not a lot of chemical fertilizer.…
How should I address Chinese young women?
Test-tube baby Charlotte Holmes as the UK’s Miss World representative has been drawing attention to the 2012 Miss World contest. Over a hundred young ladies will compete for the crown in Ordos, China, all of them between eighteen to twenty-five years old – hence the term “Miss.”…
