209 - Student Q&A, August 2024: Avoiding mental translation, untranslatable words and why practising translation is good

Is reading digitally in Chinese better than on paper? What are the best digital tools for reading? And what should you do if you can’t find texts that are both interesting and at the right level? #learnchinese #reading #faq #digital #paper #tools #comprehensible #engaging Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-november-2024-pros-and-cons-of-digital-tools-for-chinese-reading-and-the-struggle-to-find-comprehensible-and-interesting-texts/ Chinese reading challenge, November 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-challenge/ The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/ How technology can help you learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/ How technology can stop you from learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-can-stop-learning-chinese/ Pleco: https://www.pleco.com/pleco Outlier Linguistics Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/ Hanping: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hanping DuChinese: https://www.duchinese.net/ Chairman’s Bao: https://www.thechairmansbao.com/ MyLingua: https://www.mylingua.world/landing/hackingchinese/ The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/ Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better/ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/ An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/ How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/ Have fun learning Chinese or else… https://www.hackingchinese.com/have-fun-or-else/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Many people believe that learning a new script is challenging, but mastering systems like Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Japanese kana is surprisingly easy. With the right approach and resources, you can do it in just a few hours! #learnchinese #zhuyin #bopomofo #taiwan Link to article: How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-zhuyin-bopomofo-in-two-hours/ Skritter's free Zhuyin course: https://app.skritter.com/link/zh/?link=https://skritter.com?deck=6506846101766144&apn=com.inkren.skritter.chinese&ibi=com.inkren.skritter.chinese&isi=1370892114?ref=hackingchinese&?coupon=HCSKRITTER 6 things in Chinese that are harder to learn than they seem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-things-in-chinese-that-are-harder-to-learn-than-they-seem/ How I learnt Chinese, part 2: Learning Mandarin in Sweden: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-2-foreign-language-learning-in-sweden/ What's the difference between Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin? Does it matter? https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-the-difference-chinese-pronunciation-and-pinyin-does-matter/ Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea/ Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1/ Skritter Review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/ Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence : https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ The building blocks of Chinese: Characters, components, radicals: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-2-basic-characters-components-and-radicals/ Bopomofo - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bopomofo#Symbols Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners/ Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/ Why flashcards are terrible for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-bad-for-learning-chinese More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Counting is one of the first things we learn in a foreign language, yet mastering it takes time. While basic numbers may seem simple, using them effectively in communication requires much more than just memorising words. #hackingchinese #numbers #counting #fractions #finance #communication Link to article: Do you really know how to count in Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/do-you-really-know-how-to-count-in-chinese/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ The cheapest and most convenient way to improve your spoken Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-way-to-improve-your-spoken-chinese/ Chinese Number Trainer Lite (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.molatra.numbertrainerlite&hl=en Real 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-it/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Improving your Chinese after you reach an advanced level requires new ways of learning and new sources of motivation. If I could go back in time to give a less proficient version of myself advice, here is what I would say. #hackingchinese #advanced #timemachine #learningstrategy Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an advanced student of Chinese: Time machine, part 3: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-advanced-student-of-chinese-time-machine-part-3 How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau/ How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/ How I learnt Chinese, part 7: Teaching, writing, learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-7-teaching-writing-learning/ How to learn Chinese as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2/beginner How-to advice for intermediate Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2/intermediate/ Learning Chinese at an advanced level: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2/advanced/ The CEFR Levels - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions 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/ 3 things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-intermediate-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-2/ How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/ 25 books I read in Chinese last year: https://www.hackingchinese.com/25-books-i-read-in-chinese-last-year/ Learning science in Chinese with 李永乐老师: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-science-in-chinese-with-liyonglelaoshi More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Don’t try to learn pronunciation by reading. Instead, the best way to improve is to listen to and mimic native speakers. Focusing too much on how sounds are written down can actually make it harder to hear them! #learnchinese #pronunciation #pinyin #labels  Link to article: Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea/ Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/ A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls/ How to learn to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Pinyin chart - Chinese Pronunciation Wiki: https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/pinyin_chart The Hacking Chinese tone training course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-tone-training-course-is-now-open/ Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki/ YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/youglish-a-free-service-to-hear-and-see-chinese-words-in-context/ Listen before you read: Improve your Chinese listening ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-before-you-read-improve-your-listening-ability/ The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/ Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How is the Pinyin final -i pronounced after sh? How is the initial z- pronounced compared to z in English? And is Pinyin a good transcription system for learning pronunciation? #learnchinese #pronunciation #q&a #pinyin #initials #finals Link to article: Student Q&A, October 2024: Pronouncing the final -i after sh-, the initial z- and if Pinyin is a good transcription system:  https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-october-2024-pronouncing-the-final-i-after-sh-the-initial-z-and-if-pinyin-is-a-good-transcription-system/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ Chinese pronunciation challenge, October 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-pronunciation-challenge/ The Fluent Listener: Navigating Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/ A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: Learning Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls/ Spoken sounds and written symbols are two different things; don't mix them up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-the-difference-chinese-pronunciation-and-pinyin-does-matter/ Read more here: Learning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-1/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

YouTube and similar platforms offer a vast treasure trove of content that can help you learn Chinese, whether you're watching videos in Chinese or exploring content about language and culture. But how can you get the most out of this resource at different stages of learning? #learnchinese #youtube #video #input Link to article: How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-use-youtube-and-other-video-platforms-to-learn-chinese/ Analyse 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-strands/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMx6A_EMXwI The History of Chinese Fonts (YouTube): https://youtu.be/YyNWvS-Sauw?feature=shared The Hacking Chinese Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoedrvTohcjLTiUoNdMjOk3hS0GW2mGf1 Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/ Listen before you read: Improve your Chinese listening ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-before-you-read-improve-your-listening-ability/ Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/ 8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learning/ The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese Listen more and learn more by building a personal Chinese audio library: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-and-learn-more-by-building-a-personal-chinese-audio-library/ China: popular online video apps monthly active users, 2024 (Statista): https://www.statista.com/statistics/910676/china-monthly-active-users-leading-online-video-apps/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/ Review: FluentU Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-fluentu-chinese Language Learning with Netflix & YouTube-AFL (Chrome Web Store): https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/language-learning-with-ne/bekopgepchoeepdmokgkpkfhegkeohbl Language Player: https://languageplayer.io More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate learners of Mandarin. #learnchinese #intermediate #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-intermediate-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-2/ How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/ 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/ Immersion 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-abroad/ You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/ Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/ Using HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: Pros and cons: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau/ An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/ Analyse 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-strands/ Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/ Make sure listening isn't a practical problem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/ The time barrel: Or why you have more time than you think: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/ The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/ The 7 best Chinese reading practice resources for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/ The best free Chinese reading practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/ The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners How narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chinese/ Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ How to learn Chinese characters: My best advice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/ Is it necessary to learn to write Chinese characters by hand?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/ Studying Chinese when your grades matter: https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context. #learnchinese #pronunciation #context #youtube #usage Link to article: YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/youglish-a-free-service-to-hear-and-see-chinese-words-in-context/ Youglish Chinese: https://youglish.com/chinese Obligatory and optional tone change rules in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/optional-obligatory-tone-change-rules-mandarin/ Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/ Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence | Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: Hacking Chinese https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/ Using Audacity to learn Chinese (speaking and listening): https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-audacity-to-learn-chinese-speaking-and-listening/ Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Should you slow down the Mandarin you listen to? How can you prepare for difficult listening exams? And how can you understand Chinese numbers in context? #learnchinese #rateofspeech #slowaudio #exams #listening #numbers Link to article: Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-september-2024-slowly-spoken-chinese-passing-listening-exams-and-understanding-numbers/ Chinese listening challenge, September 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ The Fluent Listener: Navigating Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, 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-chinese/ Do you really know how to count in Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/do-you-really-know-how-to-count-in-chinese/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: https://www.hackingchinese.com Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)