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Since this is the first time I published a Chinese Graded reader, let me tell you more about how this Chinese graded reader came about…

Yes, Chinese does have grammar. That’s why I recently bought a copy of the “Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide”. 400 pages of pure Chinese grammar. Was it worth buying?

I’m thrilled to introduce my new Chinese graded reader: 《影鼠传》— The Tale of Shadow Mouse.

My children love watching Chinese cartoons. Primarily from the eighties (for better or worse). I have listed the top Chinese cartoons from post-Mao times in this post. Also with a critical note as a parent from a newer era.

AI outperforms humans not only at coding and playing chess, but also at language learning. What “strategies” does AI apply to master languages so successfully? Are we humans capable of performing the same strategies? Is it any good asking these questions?

If you subscribe to my blog now, you’ll receive a free graded reader as a gift. And because I’m not one to hold back, I’m also sharing the download links here in this blog post – for a limited time – so get ready!

Neuroscience offers us insight into how our brain learns a new language. What do these insights mean for learning Chinese? Here are 7 best practices for self-studying Chinese.

《南泥湾》 is a patriotic song that celebrates the transformation of Nanniwan from a barren, uninhabited land into a fertile and prosperous area through hard work and collective effort. In this article, I provide more information about the song, the Chinese lyrics, English translations, pinyin and more.

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.

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?