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Some argue that learning Chinese is so time-consuming that true proficiency is out of reach for most adult learners. Does the “return on investment” justify the sacrifice of time and energy?

If we are to believe Tutor Lily’s product pitch, this AI-driven chatbot is nothing less than a language tutor that you can pull out of your pocket at any time to learn your target language. I checked out the app and here are my findings.

The answer isn’t obvious. Today, I welcome Dorota from Mandarin Zest, who will share her experience. She…

American YouTuber iShowSpeed visits China and receives a hero’s welcome. Six-hour livestreams showcase his China experience. Plain propaganda or good news?

Slang is the heartbeat of everyday language and Chinese has plenty of it. Here are 45 commonly used slang words and expressions that will help you sound more native in an instant.

“凡人歌” (Song of Ordinary People) is a classic Mandarin pop song released in 1988, written and performed by 李宗盛 (Jonathan Lee). Here are the Chinese lyrics with pinyin, English translations and more.

“Pengyou” (朋友), released in 1997, is a classic song by Taiwanese singer Wakin Chau (周华健), with lyrics and composition by Liu Siming (刘思铭). Here are the Chinese lyrics, pinyin and English translations.

“Egg Fried Rice” (《蛋炒饭》) is a lively and humorous song performed by Harlem Yu (庾澄庆), a well-known Taiwanese singer. Here are the Chinese lyrics with pinyin and English translations.

In this edition: Do Chinese care about learning English, why has the Chinese divorce rate gone up so much, a day in Suzhou, why it’s not useful to study grammar rules, a flat tire in Tibet, strict Chinese parenting, more Chinese learning advice, Chinese insults and a trip to Nepal.

Red Cloth” (一块红布, Hóng Bù) is a song by Cui Jian (崔健), often called the father of Chinese rock. Cui Jian rose to fame in the 1980s as a pioneer of rock music in China, using his music to express deep emotions, social critique, and personal struggles. Here’s the Chinese lyrics with English translations, pinyin and more.

In this post, I take a closer look at the 10 most downloaded apps for learning Chinese. What are they and why are they so popular?

In this first edition of 2025: Tiktok refugees, being rich in Shanghai, cycling in Tibet, “letting it rot”, discussing China’s economy, dealing with hate comments, ideological flexibility for the sake of collective wealth and Chinese stereotypes about foreign countries.

Teacher AI has garnered significant attention on social media, promoted by prominent polyglots on YouTube and other platforms. Could this be the reason behind its premium pricing and the absence of a free trial? Here’s a first look at what the app has to offer, particularly for learners of Chinese.

Duolingo – the gamified language-learning app with its infamous owl mascot – has charmed millions of users with its promise of making language acquisition easy and fun. But if you’re serious about learning Chinese, let me save you some wasted time: Duolingo is not the tool for the job.

Forget hunting for Chinese classes or tandem partners – could an AI-powered language tutor be the game-changer for mastering Chinese? I put Talkpal, an AI language tutor app, to the test. Here’s my review.

In this edition: Applying for a job in the Chinese army, the challenges of traveling in Africa, hiring Chinese street workers, surfing in Portugal, gap year in Norway and a survival guide for tiny apartments.

A key component of Chinese handwriting practice is choosing the right calligraphy paper. Discover how to find the best material to enhance your practice.

AI-powered Text-To-Speech (TTS) technology is a big step forward for Chinese learners all over the world. In this blog, I set out to find the best AI-voice generator for the Chinese language currently available.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mischa Wilmers on his I’m Learning Mandarin podcast.

“The little chickens will grow to be ducks, the ducks will become geese, and the geese will become oxen, and tomorrow will be better”.

How can Google Gemini be used to learn Chinese and does it outperform ChatGPT in any respect?

In this edition: Applying for a job in the Chinese army, the challenges of traveling in Africa, hiring Chinese street workers, surfing in Portugal, gap year in Norway and a survival guide for tiny apartments.

In this edition: Chinese travelers in Afghanistan and Malawi, settling down in Norway, the rising popularity of low-priced housing in China’s backward cities, why do Chinese men not want to marry any more, Chinese-American stand-up comedy and more…

AI is revolutionizing language learning through the power of music. To boost my Chinese skills, I made my own “Chinese hit songs,” combining language practice with creativity and fun.

Can you learn Chinese by watching TV series and movies? I tried Lingopie, the video-based language learning platform offering premium TV shows and movies, for 14 days. Here I sum up my experience.

In this edition: living as a black American in China, how the Chinese see the US, Chinese reactions to Trump’s assassination attempt, Chinese businessman collides with Al Jazeera show, Nord Stream bombing and more.

How to find online Chinese lessons that are truly worth your time and money? In this blog,…

Eunuchs, or huanguan (宦官, huàn guān), have been a notable and often controversial presence in Chinese history. These castrated men held unique and powerful positions within the imperial court, shaping the political and cultural landscape of China for centuries. From their origins to their roles, this blog post explores the role of eunuchs in Chinese history and how they were perceived by the people of their time.

This post I’ve been wanting to write for years. Now I finally did. A reflection on marathon…

Generative AI is fast, affordable and advancing rapidly. Can AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Gemini perform tasks of a language tutor and make costly Chinese lessons dispensable?