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Your regular dose of Chinese learning goodness.
February 2025 Update
March 10, 2025 - What's New
The iOS version of the Chill Chinese app is finally here!
January 2025 Update
February 4, 2025 - What's New
Want to get serious about learning Chinese? Try spaced repetition flashcards. That's what we have been up to in January 2025.
December 2024 Update
January 2, 2025 - What's New
Audio is finally here! And there are example sentences for all HSK words. See what we have been up to in December 2024.
November 2024 Update
December 1, 2024 - What's New
An Android app, more example sentences, and more dictionary entries! See what we have been up to in November 2024.
The ultimate guide to Chinese measure words
November 21, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Everything you need to know about Chinese measure words + the most comprehensive measure word list you can find anywhere.
Double 11: China's Singles' Day
November 4, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Discover the origins and significance of the world's biggest shopping event: Double 11, China's Singles' Day.
October 2024 Update
October 29, 2024 - What's New
Example sentences, Bopomofo support, and character decompositions! See what we have been up to in October 2024.
How to say No in Chinese
October 22, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Saying 'no' in Chinese is a bit trickier than you might think. Learn how to express disagreement in Chinese!
Can you use Pleco on PC?
October 15, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Let's find out if and how you can use Pleco on your computer.
Can you use Pleco online?
Let's find out if and how you can use Pleco online.
Chinese dragons: Symbols of power and fortune
October 8, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Learn about the differences between European and Chinese dragons and the different types of Chinese dragons.
September 2024 Update
September 27, 2024 - What's New
Dark mode, multi-word search, and more! See what we have been up to in September 2024.
How to say Yes in Chinese
September 21, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Saying 'yes' in Chinese is not as straightforward as you might think. Learn how to express affirmation in Chinese!
Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncake time
September 10, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Looking for an excuse to eat lots of tasty cakes? Mid-Autumn Festival is the perfect opportunity! Let's find out more about this important Chinese holiday.
Chill Chinese is live
September 3, 2024 - What's New
The Chill Chinese app is now live as a web app! See what features are available and what's coming next.
HSK 6 – Vocabulary list and content
July 30, 2024 - Chinese Learning
HSK 6, the highest and hardest of the HSK 2.0 exams. Let's see what it takes to pass it and whether it's worth it.
Zhuyin / Bopomofo: Everything you need to know
July 23, 2024 - Chinese Learning, Chinese Culture
Discover Bopomofo, Taiwan's unique phonetic system for learning Mandarin. Learn how it differs from pinyin and whether you should learn it.
The Chinese zodiac: Which animal are you?
July 16, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Learn everything you need to know about the Chinese zodiac and discover your own Chinese zodiac sign with our zodiac calculator!
HSK 5 – Vocabulary list and content
July 9, 2024 - Chinese Learning
HSK 5, a Chinese level that most people never reach. Let's see what you need to do to prevail and get actually good at Chinese.
Does Taiwan use Pinyin?
July 2, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Such an easy question, right? Not at all! Let's dive into all the kinds of "English" you can find on street and shop signs in Taiwan.
The Great Wall of China
June 25, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Is it really true that you can see the Great Wall of China from space? Let's dig into one of the modern wonders of the world.
Master HSK 4: Complete Vocabulary List and Study Guide
June 18, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Welcome to HSK 4, the pro league of Chinese learning! Explore the full HSK 4 vocabulary list and how to study it effectively.
How to count on your fingers in Chinese
June 11, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Did you know that you can count all the way up to 10 on one hand "in Chinese"? It's super easy with our Chill Chinese guide.
Dragon Boat Festival: Races and food
June 4, 2024 - Chinese Culture
When you hear the word "Dragon Boat Festival" you probably think about dragons and boats. But there is so much more to it! Let's find out!
HSK 3 – Vocabulary list and content
May 28, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Unlock the next level of your Chinese learning journey with HSK 3! Discover how mastering more complex grammar can boost your Chinese.
Pinyin: Everything you need to know
May 20, 2024 - Chinese Learning, Chinese Culture
Discover how pinyin makes it possible to type Chinese on standard keyboards and why it's essential for learning Mandarin.
Mainland Mandarin vs. Taiwanese Mandarin
May 14, 2024 - Chinese Learning, Chinese Culture
Mandarin Chinese spoken in mainland China and Taiwan are not the same. Learn about the key differences between the two!
HSK 2 – Vocabulary list and content
May 7, 2024 - Chinese Learning
What can you really say with HSK 2? Let's look at new phrases and limitations of this level, and how it gets you closer to Chinese fluency.
Funny Chinese signs and translation fails
April 30, 2024 - Chinese Culture
My favorite snapshots of weirdly translated Chinese signs and general fails.
How to optimize your Chinese lessons
April 23, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Are you making the most of your Chinese lessons? Follow our expert guide to get the most out of your Chinese language course.
HSK 1 – Vocabulary list and content
April 16, 2024 - Chinese Learning
HSK 1 is the first step into the world of Chinese learning. Let's have a look at the 150 words that pave the way for basic conversations!
6 years to fluency: My Chinese learning journey
April 9, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Learning Chinese is hard but it's not impossible. Let me tell you about my Chinese learning journey and what it takes to get good at it.
Tomb-Sweeping Day: Honoring the ancestors
April 2, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Understanding Tomb-Sweeping Day: Dive into the history, significance, and customs of this major Chinese festival.
HSK – Everything you need to know
March 26, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Do you want to know how good your Chinese is? Take the HSK test and find out. This blog post tells you everything you need to know.
6 strategies for when you forget a Chinese character
March 19, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Even native speakers forget a Chinese character every now and then. Here are 6 strategies you can apply next time this happens to you.
The ultimate guide to Chinese tone practice
March 12, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Nailing Chinese tones is hard. Chinese tone practice is a surefire way to improve your pronunciation. Find out how to sound like a native!
Boost your Chinese skills with extensive reading
March 5, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Learn how to improve your Chinese reading skills by consuming written Chinese content to build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and become a faster reader.
Chinese flag history: From ancient to modern times
February 27, 2024 - Chinese Culture
The history of the Chinese flag is short but tumultuous. Find out about the three Chinese national flags that everyone should know.
Use shadowing to speak Chinese like a native
February 20, 2024 - Chinese Learning
Getting Chinese pronunciation right is really hard. Find out how to rapidly improve your Chinese pronunciation with shadowing!
How many Chinese characters do I need to know to be fluent?
February 13, 2024 - Chinese Learning
There are tens of thousands of Chinese characters. But how many do you need to know to be fluent in Chinese? Let's find out!
Things you didn't know about Chinese New Year
February 6, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Did you know that Chinese New Year is a holiday that triggers the largest annual human migration? Learn more about it in this blog post!
How long does it take to learn Chinese?
January 30, 2024 - Chinese Learning
How long it takes to learn Chinese depends on your goals, but it's definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Let's find out why!
Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese
January 23, 2024 - Chinese Learning, Chinese Culture
Simplified vs. traditional Chinese: Is one better than the other? Which one should you learn? Find all the answers in this blog post!
What's the difference between Chinese and Mandarin?
January 18, 2024 - Chinese Culture
Are Chinese and Mandarin the same thing? If not, what's the difference? And which one should you learn? Let's find out in this blog post!