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Guides, stories, and updates on immersion-based Mandarin learning.
Showing 243 articles
Chinese Words in English: 30 Everyday English Words That Came From Chinese
Chinese words in English: tea, ketchup, typhoon, kowtow, gung-ho, dim sum and 24 more, with the original characters and the dialect each one came through.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Does China Celebrate Thanksgiving? (Plus How to Say Happy Thanksgiving in Chinese)
Does China celebrate Thanksgiving? No, it isn't a holiday there. Learn who does mark it, what China has instead, and how to say Happy Thanksgiving in Chinese.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Japanese vs Chinese: Which Is Harder, and Which Should You Learn?
Japanese vs Chinese: both take English speakers about 2,200 class hours, for different reasons. Compare writing, sounds, grammar and jobs, then pick one.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
I Miss You in Chinese: 我想你 (Wǒ Xiǎng Nǐ) and 8 Ways to Say It
I miss you in Chinese is 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ). Learn why 想 means think and miss, the stronger 我好想你, the formal 想念, how to reply, and the Cantonese version.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Sorry in Chinese: 对不起, 不好意思, 抱歉 (and How to Say Excuse Me)
Sorry in Chinese is 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) for real apologies, 不好意思 for small ones, 抱歉 in formal settings. Learn all three, excuse me, and how to reply.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Good Luck in Chinese: 祝你好运, 加油, and 25 Encouraging Sentences
Good luck in Chinese is 祝你好运, but people say 加油 (jiāyóu). Get 25 encouraging sentences with pinyin, exam and new-year luck phrases, and how to say cheers.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Seasons in Chinese: 春夏秋冬 (Plus What Season It Is in China Right Now)
The seasons in Chinese are 春天, 夏天, 秋天, 冬天. Learn the season and weather words, the 24 solar terms, and what season it is in China right now.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Nice to Meet You in Chinese: 很高兴认识你 and 5 Other Ways to Say It
Nice to meet you in Chinese is 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ). Learn the formal 幸会 and 久仰, how to reply, and a full first-meeting script.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
But in Chinese: 但是, 可是, 不过 (and Which One to Use)
But in Chinese is 但是 (dànshì), 可是 (kěshì) or 不过 (búguò), and they aren't quite interchangeable. Learn which one to use, how 虽然…但是 works, and the formal 却 and 然而.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Because in Chinese: 因为 (Yīnwèi), 所以, and 5 Other Ways to Give a Reason
Because in Chinese is 因为 (yīnwèi), usually paired with 所以 (suǒyǐ, 'so'). Learn the 因为…所以 pattern, 由于, 既然, 因此 and 为了, plus how to ask and answer 'why'.
沉浸 TeamOct 15, 2026
Chinese Paragraph Examples: 15 Short Texts With Pinyin and English (HSK 1 to 5)
15 Chinese paragraph examples from HSK 1 to HSK 5, each with pinyin and English: self-introductions, daily routines, a weather report, a short story, and more, plus how to write your own.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Chinese Accent: Regional Mandarin Accents and How to Fix Your Own
A Chinese accent isn't one thing: Beijing, Taiwan, and southern Mandarin all sound different. Learn what each accent does to the sounds, and the four fixes that shrink a foreign accent fastest.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Chinese Jokes: 20 Funny Jokes in Chinese With Pinyin and Explanations
20 Chinese jokes (笑话) with pinyin, English, and the explanation of why each one is funny: puns, tone jokes, cold jokes, and classic one-liners you can tell to Chinese friends.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
What Are You Doing in Chinese: 你在干什么 and 6 Casual Ways to Ask
What are you doing in Chinese is 你在干什么 (nǐ zài gàn shénme), or 你在干嘛 (nǐ zài gàn má) between friends. Learn the versions people text, how to answer, and the 在 grammar behind them.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Terms of Endearment in Chinese: 30 Sweet Names for Lovers, Partners, and Family
30 terms of endearment in Chinese: 亲爱的, 宝贝, 老公, 老婆 and more, with pinyin and when each one fits. Plus the words for lover, boyfriend, girlfriend, and how to say 'I like you'.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Friend in Chinese: 朋友 (Péngyou) and 12 Words for Friends and Friendship
Friend in Chinese is 朋友 (péngyou). Learn 12 words for friends, best friends and friendship, the characters 朋 and 友, and the phrases Chinese speakers use to make and keep friends.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Beautiful in Chinese: 美, 漂亮, 美丽 and When to Use Each
Beautiful in Chinese is 美 (měi), 漂亮 (piàoliang) or 美丽 (měilì), and they aren't interchangeable. Learn which one to use for people, places and things, plus 'pretty' and 'handsome'.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Good Night in Chinese: 晚安 (Wǎn'ān) and 7 Sweet Ways to Say It
Good night in Chinese is 晚安 (wǎn'ān). Learn how to say and write it, why it's not the same as 晚上好, sweet-dreams phrases for texting, and the Cantonese version.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Chinese Curse Words: 25 Swear Words and Insults (and What 妈的 Means)
Chinese curse words explained: what 妈的 (mā de), 他妈的, 卧槽 and 傻逼 mean, how strong each one is, the mild insults you'll hear daily, and which ones to never say.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
And in Chinese: 和, 跟, 与, 而 (and Which One to Use)
And in Chinese is usually 和 (hé), but it only joins nouns. Learn 和, 跟, 与, 而 and 还, when each one works, how to write 和, and how to say 'with' too.
沉浸 TeamSep 16, 2026
Duolingo Chinese Review (2026): Fun, Free, and Not Enough (Plus 7 Alternatives)
Duolingo Chinese review: what the owl does well (habit, free), where it fails Mandarin (tones, characters, no real reading), and 7 alternatives to Duolingo that go further.
沉浸 TeamSep 11, 2026
Pimsleur Mandarin Review (2026): Excellent for Speaking, Silent on Reading
An honest Pimsleur Mandarin review: the audio method that gets you speaking with good tones in 30 minutes a day, why it never teaches you to read, and how to fix that gap.
沉浸 TeamSep 11, 2026
Rosetta Stone vs Duolingo for Chinese (2026): Which One Teaches Mandarin Better?
Rosetta Stone vs Duolingo for Chinese, compared honestly: tones, characters, price, and how far each one takes you. Plus the third option most learners end up needing.
沉浸 TeamSep 11, 2026
Arch Chinese Review (2026): Great for Worksheets, Not for Learning to Read
An honest Arch Chinese review for 2026: the best worksheet generator for Chinese characters, a solid dictionary, a dated interface, and what to use once you can write.
沉浸 TeamSep 11, 2026