What’s the difference between Chinese, Mandarin and Cantonese?
How do you tell Cantonese and Mandarin apart? Both are part of the Chinese language. Mandarin is spoken in the mainland and Cantonese is spoken in...
Chinese Learning Tips
How To Master A New Language
Mastering a language quickly requires these four things.
How To Learn A Language: Why Lectures Don’t Work
It's important to learn Chinese with 1-on-1 interaction. Lecture halls aren't effective when learning Chinese, and here's why.
How To Use The Chinese Character “才(CÁI)”
How to use "才 (cai)" in Chinese. This character can be used to say "only" or "not until."
"Jiu 就": A Misunderstood Chinese Character
How to use "就 (jiu)" in Chinese. This character has a lot of implied meanings, such as "only" and "definitely," but no clear English equivalent!
What Are Chinese Homophones?
Homophones are fairly common in Chinese, forming an important part of the subtext of everyday communication, and significantly influencing cultural...
How To Use Chengyu (成语) Properly
Chengyu are Chinese idioms, usually consisting of four characters. They usually have a very specific meaning, making it difficult to translate them...
Differences Between Spoken And Written Chinese
The difference between spoken and written language is more significant in Chinese than in English. However, distinctions between the two styles are...
Why "Learn Chinese" Should Be Your New Year's Resolution
Not only does learning Chinese allow you to discover a new language and culture, but studies show it can accelerate your career and actually make you...
Chinese Animals With Very Literal Names
Unlike English ones, Chinese animal names cannot be created by fitting sounds together. Instead, they generally directly describe characteristics of...