Learn Chinese
Taiwanese Mandarin vs Mainland Mandarin: Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Characters
Compare Taiwanese and Mainland Mandarin with everyday vocabulary, audio examples, character differences and practical advice on choosing what to learn.
Chinese Vocabulary
Themed Mandarin word lists and everyday phrases with characters, pinyin and English meanings: greetings, numbers, days of the week, seasons, holidays and more.
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Chinese Vocabulary
How to Talk About Halloween Foods in Chinese
A themed Mandarin vocabulary list for Halloween: Chinese words for candy, pumpkin pie and other seasonal foods, each with characters, pinyin, audio and example sentences, plus a look at how Halloween is celebrated in China.
Chinese Vocabulary
What Exactly Is Dongxi?
东西 (dōngxi) is the everyday Chinese word for 'thing'. This guide shows how to use it for objects, food, shopping and 'lots of things', explains why east + west came to mean 'thing', and warns when 东西 sounds insulting about people.
Chinese Vocabulary
Must-Have Chinese Fall Vocabulary List!
A Mandarin autumn vocabulary list organized into nouns, adjectives, verbs and everyday expressions, each with characters, pinyin and audio, plus a summary table for quick review.
Chinese Vocabulary
Why Chinese Days of the Week Are Easier Than You Think—And the Secret Behind Sunday!
In Mandarin, Monday to Saturday are formed by 星期 plus the numbers one to six, so the week is quick to learn. This guide covers every day with pinyin and explains why Sunday is 星期天 or 星期日 rather than 星期七.
Travel to China
10 Essential Phrases You Need To Know Before Travelling To China In 2024
Ten practical Mandarin phrases for travellers in China, covering payment, directions, ordering and asking for help. Each phrase comes with characters, pinyin and audio, plus tips on how to practise before your trip.
Chinese Vocabulary
How to Say “You Swan, He Frog” in Chinese?
'You swan, he frog' is a 2024 internet meme rather than a standard expression. This article explains its meaning, gives the direct Chinese rendering 你是天鹅，他是青蛙, connects it to the idiom 癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉 and shows similar playful examples.
Chinese Vocabulary
Must-know Chinese Vocabulary and Facts about Beijing Winter Olympics
A Mandarin word list for winter sports and the Olympic Games, with characters and pinyin, plus background on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, its competition zones and mascots. The event facts are historical; the vocabulary stays useful.
Chinese Grammar
How to Say No in Chinese
Chinese has no single word that replaces English 'no'. This guide explains 不, 不是, 不对, 不好, 不要, 不会, 不行, 没有 and related patterns with examples, then shows how polite refusals add explanation or softening.
Travel to China
How To Order Chinese Food
A practical guide to ordering food in Mandarin: key menu words for cooking methods and flavours, useful phrases from getting a table to paying the bill, popular breakfast and regional dishes, and how to compliment the chef.
Chinese Vocabulary
9 Ways to Say Thank You in Chinese You Must Know
谢谢 (xièxie) is the standard way to say thank you in Chinese, but native speakers adjust their thanks to the relationship and situation. Learn 9 formal and casual expressions, when not to say thank you, and how to respond when someone thanks you.
Chinese Vocabulary
The Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Numbers
Chinese numbers use a regular place-value system that makes counting easy once you know 1 to 10. This guide covers numbers up to 10,000 and beyond, hand gestures, dates, time, age and measure words, plus special rules for 两, 幺 and anti-fraud numerals.