Podcast Episodes

269 - Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese

Season 1 Episode 269

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 …

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

268 - 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back

Season 1 Episode 268

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 ar…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

267 - How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor

Season 1 Episode 267

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.

#learnch…

Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago

266 - What important words are missing from HSK?

Season 1 Episode 266

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 #hs…

Published on 3 months ago

265 - 5 common challenges in Mandarin listening comprehension and how to overcome them

Season 1 Episode 265

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?

#learnchine…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

264 - Learning Chinese through comprehensible input

Season 1 Episode 264

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?

#learnchi…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

263 - Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese

Season 1 Episode 263

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 #…

Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago

262 - Getting the most from Hacking Chinese in 2025: Back-to-school course discount, 2025

Season 1 Episode 262

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 o…

Published on 4 months ago

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 rerecor…

Published on 4 months, 1 week ago

260 - 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand

Season 1 Episode 260

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 #handwr…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago