281 - Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better

You can build vocabulary in Chinese with flashcard apps and spaced repetition, but reading is more effective and more enjoyable. It helps you recognise words, understand how they work in context and build your sense of how the language works.#learnchinese #reading #vocabulary #srs #flashcards #wordswingLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/WordSwing: https://wordswing.com/Anki: https://apps.ankiweb.net/Mapping the terra incognita of Chinese vocabulary: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mapping-the-terra-incognita-of-vocabularyAn introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learnersSpaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-softwareFive text games for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/five-text-games-for-chinese-learnersMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How long does it take to learn a Chinese character or word? It varies, but some vocabulary just refuses to stick, no matter what you do. These are called leeches, and if you don't deal with them, they'll suck you dry.#learnchinese #leeches #vocabulary #flashcards #srsLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chineseAnki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-systemSpaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-softwareAnki documentation about leeches: .html: https://docs.ankiweb.net/leeches.html?highlight=review+modeSkritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learningDealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-upAbout cheating, spaced repetition and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-cheating-spaced-repetition-and-learning-chineseThe building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshellSame building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning7 mistakes I made when writing Chinese characters and what I learnt from them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-mistakes-i-made-when-writing-chinese-characters-and-what-i-learnt-from-themCultivate your Chinese flashcard garden… or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afreshMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Everybody knows that knowing many words is important, but how important is it? And how should you expand your vocabulary in Chinese?#learnchinese #vocabulary #words #charactersLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-systemAn introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learningSeeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-itWhen spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-spaced-repetition-fails-and-what-to-do-about-itFree and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-ankiReview: Mandarin Companion: Easy to read novels in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-mandarin-companion-easy-to-read-novels-in-chineseAn introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learningMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Chinese characters are beautiful and fascinating, but learning to write them by hand is time-consuming. If you want to learn to write Chinese characters by hand with the least possible time investment, what's the best approach?#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #handwriting #strategyA minimum-effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-handThe building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshellMy best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-handDo you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-handHow to improve your Chinese handwriting: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-handwritingAn introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learnersWhat to read to improve your Chinese and why: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-to-read-to-improve-your-chinese-and-whyLearning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-zhuyin-bopomofo-in-two-hoursPhonetic components, part 1: The key to 80% of all Chinese characters: http://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-charactersSpaced repetition software and why you should use it: http://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-softwareSkritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: http://www.hackingchinese.com/boosting-your-character-learning-with-skritterLearning to write Chinese characters through communication: http://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-write-chinese-characters-through-communicationReal communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-itMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Flashcards are powerful, but what if your deck feels more like an overgrown thicket than a carefully cultivated garden? Do you clear away the weeds and bring it back under control, or burn it all down and start afresh?#learnchinese #vocabulary #flashcards #srs #characters #wordsLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: Cultivate your Chinese flashcard garden... or burn it down and start afresh: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cultivate-your-chinese-flashcard-garden-or-burn-it-down-and-start-afresh/Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chineseWhy flashcards are terrible for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-bad-for-learning-chineseWhich words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-themSpaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-softwareWhy manually adding and editing flashcards is good for you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-manually-adding-and-editing-flashcards-is-good-for-youDo you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-handFree and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-ankiLearning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-wordsAnalyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strandsMeasuring your language learning is a double-edged sword: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword6 benefits of learning Chinese through sports: https://www.hackingchinese.com/practising-sports-to-learn-chineseSkritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learningMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Do you want to speak Mandarin fluently, no matter what your level is? Use the 4/3/2 technique to build confidence and flow!#learnchinese #fluency #fluent #432 #speaking #paulnationLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chineseHow to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluencyLearning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-inputHow narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chineseHone your Chinese writing ability by writing summaries: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hone-your-chinese-writing-ability-by-writing-summariesEn route to spoken fluency via task repetition – the ‘4, 3, 2 technique’ and ‘Market place’ (The Language Gym): https://gianfrancoconti.com/2017/03/04/en-route-to-spoken-fluency-via-task-repetition-the-4-3-2-technique-and-market-placeMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How do native speakers talk about Chinese characters?The writing system is not phonetic, so you can't spell out words, but it is still possible to talk about Chinese characters.Let's explore how!#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #spokenLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/The building blocks of Chinese, part 2: Basic characters, components and radicals: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-2-basic-characters-components-and-radicalsThe building blocks of Chinese, part 3: Compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-charactersShould you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-charactersKickstart your Chinese character learning with the 100 most common radicals: http://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-character-learning-with-the-100-most-common-radicalsMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Going abroad to learn Chinese in an immersion environment can be great, but unless you plan to stay for years, you might be better off delaying your trip.#learnchinese #immersion #travel #abroad #homeLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: Why not going to China now could actually be good for your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-not-going-to-china-now-could-actually-be-good-for-your-chinese/You wont learn chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroadFree and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-ankiSkritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learningWill a Chinese-only rule improve your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-chinese-only-rules-good-for-learningAn introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learningBeyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard? https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hardWhich Chinese language course should you take? https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-chinese-language-course-should-you-takeHow I learnt Chinese, part 3: My first year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-3-first-year-taiwanUnlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginnerImmersion at home or: Why you don’t have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroadMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How small can Chinese characters be while still being legible? How much information do they contain per unit area? And what can a big Rubik’s cube teach us about Chinese characters?#learnchinese #hanzi #characters #pixelfont #rubikscubeLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: What a big Rubik’s Cube taught me about Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-a-big-rubiks-cube-taught-me-about-chinese-characters/What’s in a name? Hacking Chinese, 揭密中文: https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-name-hacking-chineseLargest rotating puzzle cube mosaic: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/473622-largest-rubiks-cube-mosaic-imageAre simplified characters really simpler to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learnBeyond tīng bu dǒng, part 2: From sound to meaning in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-2-from-sound-to-meaning-in-mandarinBeyond ting bu dong part 3 using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chineseEscape: A text adventure game for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/escape-text-adventure-game-chinese-learners36 samples of Chinese handwriting from students and native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/36-samples-of-chines-handwriting-from-students-and-native-speakersMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Slang and swearing often top the list of what people want to learn in a foreign language. But is this curiosity actually helpful for learners, or just a fun distraction?#learnchinese #slang #vocabulary #swearingLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: Learning (or not learning) Chinese slang: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/3 things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/Duang - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuangMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)