10 ways to use 点 (diǎn)
点 (diǎn) is one of those characters in Mandarin that pops-up all over the place. In the dictionary, there are multiple meanings given, including “dot”, “point”, a “small amount”. In…
When is it time to change your Chinese teacher?
“Teaching should be full of ideas instead of stuffed with facts.” “Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross.” There are…
Various Chinese Translation for “Too Many” and “Too Much”
The Chinese language, with its rich vocabulary and intricate grammar, often presents unique challenges for learners. One phrase that frequently stumps Mandarin learners is "太多 (tài duō)," which is the…
Learn The Chinese Tones With Morse Code?
I want to share a teaching cue I’ve been using with my students recently that’s been great for learning how to actually produce the tones. When it comes to learning…
How to Get the Tones in Chinese Right, and then Fix Them in Your Head!
The first thing that most beginners learn in Chinese are the four tones – how the meaning of a sound changes depending on whether you say it in a flat…
The 4 Best Ways to Learn Mandarin Faster
As a fellow Mandarin-as-a-second-language student, I know first-hand how challenging it can be to learn Chinese, especially if it’s your first language other than English. Fluency can frequently seem like…
The Major Differences Between 两(liǎng) and 二(èr)
Are you learning Chinese and struggling to differentiate between the two words for "two" - 二 and 两? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many Chinese learners find it difficult to…
Four Words that Mean “latest” in Mandarin
Do you have the latest iPhone? What’s the latest on the U.S. presidential election campaign? Did you see the fashions on display at the Shanghai Fashion Week? Daily conversation so…
Mandarin Chinese Coffee Vocabulary for the ‘Up-and-Coming’ Chinese Coffee Market
In addition to having the one of the strongest tea cultures in the world, coffee culture is also exploding in China. As of July 2015, Coffee Consumption is in a…