Learn Mandarin
Free, in-depth guides on Mandarin tones, characters, HSK preparation, and vocabulary. Written for learners who want to understand the why, not just the what.
Reader apps hub
Mandarin Reader Apps: Compare and Choose the Right Tool
Compare the best Mandarin reader apps for Android, iOS and the web in 2026. Free and paid options, offline support, FSRS flashcards, and which reader fits your study style.
Mandarin vocabulary hub
Mandarin Vocabulary: Build a Real Working Set in 2026
Build a Mandarin vocabulary that actually sticks. Honest comparisons of Anki, Quizlet, Memrise, Pleco and ReadDeck, plus FSRS scheduling, free decks, and HSK-aligned word lists.
HSK prep hub
HSK Prep: Vocabulary Lists, Study Plans, and Level-Up Guides
HSK prep for 2026: HSK 1 vocabulary with audio, the HSK 3 to HSK 4 jump, a realistic 90-day HSK 3 plan, and what the HSK 3.0 update means for your study timeline.
Mandarin tones hub
Mandarin Tones: From the Four Contours to Real Listening
Master Mandarin tones with audio-first guides. The four tones, tone pair cheat sheet, sandhi rules, common English-speaker mistakes, and daily drills that actually transfer to speech.
Reading practice hub
Chinese Reading Practice: Build Real Comprehension
Practical Chinese reading practice from graded readers to free-form Mandarin text. Tips for beginners through intermediate learners, with audio-first recommendations.
Listening practice hub
Mandarin Listening Practice: Train Your Ear
Practical Mandarin listening practice from day one. Tone-pair drills, active vs passive listening, the 15-minute daily routine, and free audio-first resources for 2026.
Chinese characters hub
Chinese Characters: Radicals, Stroke Order and Real Literacy
Everything a Mandarin learner needs to know about hanzi - from the 214 Kangxi radicals and stroke order rules to HSK thresholds and the character counts needed for real-world reading.
Spaced repetition hub
FSRS Spaced Repetition: The Algorithm Behind Modern Flashcards
FSRS explained: how the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler works, how it differs from SM-2, why Mandarin learners should switch, and which apps ship FSRS built in.
Travel Chinese hub
Mandarin for Travel: Phrases, Pronunciation and Survival Chinese
Mandarin for travel to China in 2026. 40 essential phrases with pinyin and audio, payment reality, taxi and metro scripts, and how to learn just enough before a two-week trip.