The humble flashcard: A key component in a successful strategy, or a distraction from what truly matters? Few things have sparked as much debate as...
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Learning Chinese is easier than you think
When I tell people that I study Chinese, the reactions usually involve equal amounts of awe and curiosity. “I’ve heard Chinese is the hardest...
14 Chinese New Year Flowers/Fruits to Bring You Luck in 2026
14 Chinese New Year Flowers/Fruits to Bring You Luck in 2026 Apart from lucky dishes, fruits...
Guilin Weather in August: Perfect for Water Activities and Fruit Season
Guilin Weather in August: Perfect for Water Activities and Fruit Season What's the weather like...
Qingming Festival 2026: Auspicious Time for China’s Tomb Sweeping
Qingming Festival 2026: Auspicious Time for China's Tomb Sweeping Unlike many other Chinese...
Chinese Dialects: Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Putonghua
Chinese Dialects: Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Putonghua <!-- Pinyin chart ...
Five text games for Chinese learners
On Hacking Chinese, I mostly write about how to learn. This is not only because I think that’s where my strength and interest lie, but also because...
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!...