Articles in the ‘Vocabulary’ category
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Chinese vocabulary challenge, May 2025
It’s time for a vocabulary challenge! It starts on December 10th, so enrol, set your goal and learn as many characters and words as you can before the end of the month. This challenge is sponsored by Skritter, so there are also prizes on the line! This article contains more information about the challenge, some important things to keep in mind as well as some advice about learning Chinese characters and words.
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Student Q&A: May, 2025: Learning Chinese characters and words with flashcard apps
Should you focus on many words superficially or few words well? How do you stay motivated when flashcards get boring? And how can you tell if you really know a word?
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Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability
Digital dictionaries make reading Chinese easier, but they might also prevent you from learning essential strategies. Let’s have a look at why using a good dictionary can be bad for your reading ability!
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How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation
Memory is a skill that can be practised, learnt, and mastered. By using the right method, remembering even abstract things like tones and pronunciation in Mandarin becomes possible, even easy!
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Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese
Should you cram or use spaced repetition to learn Chinese? Discover when each method works best and why spaced repetition is key to long-term success.
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The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025
Videos are ideal for learning Chinese. The visual element makes the content more comprehensible and engaging, resulting in effective and enjoyable learning. But what videos should you watch? What are the best YouTube Channels?
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Welcome to The Fluent Listener, a new course from Hacking Chinese!
Develop essential Mandarin listening skills with my new course, The Fluent Listener. Enrol by February 16 for lifetime access to video lessons, curated resources, tailored guidance, and a supportive learning community.
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Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques you can use to learn and remember more, but this doesn’t mean that you should always use them. If you do, you will end up spending more time on mnemonics than you do engaging with the Chinese language.
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Can English learning materials help you learn Chinese?
Can English learning materials for Chinese speakers help you learn Mandarin? Discover their potential, pitfalls, and how to use them effectively.
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Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary
How can you remember the difference between similar Chinese characters? Are flashcards better than reading for building vocabulary? And how do you learn polyphonic characters?
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