Hacking Chinese Podcast

Olle Linge
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast about how to learn Mandarin. In-depth discussions about how to overcome challenges, solve problems and get the most out of your learning. For more information and inspiration, visit https://www.hackingchinese.com!

  1. 6d ago

    316 - How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe)

    Dictation tests, or 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě), are common in Chinese courses, but many students struggle with them. Here is a guide for how to nail any dictation test! #learnchinese #dictation #tingxie #test #chinesecharacters #hanzi Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/ Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/ The building blocks of Chinese, part 5: Making sense of Chinese words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-5-making-sense-of-chinese-words/ Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ When perfectionism becomes an obstacle to progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-perfectionism-becomes-an-obstacle-to-progress/ How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/ Chinese characters, ideograms and words: A beginner’s guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/ Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/ Review: The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/ Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters/ All the resources you need to learn and teach Chinese stroke order: https://www.hackingchinese.com/everything-you-need-to-learn-chinese-stroke-order/ Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/ Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/ 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/ Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/ How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/ Spaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/ Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/ The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/ You can’t learn Chinese characters by rote: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote/ A minimum-effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand/ 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)

    316 - How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe)

  2. Aug 16

    315 - Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose

    Flashcards can teach you to write Chinese characters, but they can be boring and hide problems. Communicative handwriting is more engaging and prepares you for real-world tasks. #learnchinese #characters #hanzi #handwriting #communication Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-write-chinese-characters-through-communication/ How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/ 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/ 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/ Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/ How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/ 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)

    315 - Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose

  3. Aug 10

    314 - How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components

    Mountains, trees and rocks are easy to use in mnemonics. But what do you do with character components whose meanings are general, abstract or overlapping? #learnchinese #mnemonics #characters #components #vocabulary Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components/ Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/ Chinese characters, ideograms and words: A beginner's guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/ The building blocks of Chinese, part 4: Learning and remembering compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-4-learning-and-remembering-compound-characters/ How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/ Panning: Keeping similar Chinese characters and words separate: https://www.hackingchinese.com/panning-keeping-similar-chinese-characters-and-words-separate/ Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up/ Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/ Learning Classical Chinese is for everyone (no, seriously!): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-classical-chinese-is-for-everyone-no-seriously/ 5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: Superficial forms to deep structure: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/ Review: The Outlier Dictionary of Chinese Characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/ Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zi-tools-a-powerful-free-resource-for-exploring-chinese-characters/ Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/ How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/extending-mnemonics-inspiration-and-insights/ Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-mnemonics-too-slow-for-chinese-learners/ 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/ 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)

    314 - How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components

  4. Aug 3

    313 - Why you should listen to the Hacking Chinese Podcast

    Listening to a podcast about learning Chinese is not the same as learning Chinese, so why spend your limited time on the Hacking Chinese Podcast? #learnchinese #podcast #hackingchinese Link to The Hacking Chinese Podcast: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/ Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-reading-hacking-chinese-help-you-learn-mandarin/ 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-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)

  5. Jul 26

    312 - The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better

    90% of an iceberg is underwater, yet we mostly pay attention to the bit that sticks up. The same is true for proficiency in Chinese: speaking ability is easy to see, but relies on a much larger system underneath. #learnchinese #speaking #input #iceberg Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-chinese-iceberg-why-speaking-more-isnt-enough-to-speak-better/ The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/ Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-chinese-voice/ Focusing on tone pairs to improve your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/focusing-on-tone-pairs-to-improve-your-mandarin-pronunciation/ The art of being corrected: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/ Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/ Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/ How learning some basic theory can improve your pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation/ Chinese tones explained: The four Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ 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/ 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)

    312 - The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better

  6. Jul 20

    311 - New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection

    I have published a book! It's called Hacking Chinese: the Snake Collection and contains articles I wrote in 2025, the Year of the Snake. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, but Chinese characters, tutors and input are the most prominent. #learnchinese #anthology #hackingchinese #snake Link to article on Hacking Chinese: New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection: https://www.hackingchinese.com/new-book-hacking-chinese-the-snake-collection/ Purchase the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bOH8i5 Best of Hacking Chinese 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-of-hacking-chinese-2025 The Snake Collection contents with links to articles and podcast episodes: https://www.hackingchinese.com/snake Courses on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses 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)

    311 - New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection

  7. Jul 12

    310 - 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese

    Most learners know they should “listen more”, but what they listen to matters. To improve, you need to make sense of spoken Mandarin, not listen to people explain Mandarin in English. #learnchinese #listening #podcast #english #input Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/ 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/ Chinese language logging, part 1: Why and how to track your progress: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-language-logging-part-1-why-and-how-to-track-your-progress/ How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/ The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-fluent-listener/ 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/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/ The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/ The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/ 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)

    310 - 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese

  8. Jul 6

    309 - Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up

    When we first start learning Chinese, each new character is hard to learn, but as we learn more, it gets easier. But a new problem soon appears: Mixing up similar characters. #learnchinese #characters #vocabulary #forgetting Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up/ The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/ Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/ Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system/ How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/ 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/ 5 websites to help answer your questions about Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-websites-to-help-answer-your-questions-about-chinese/ Chinese characters and words that refuse to stick: Killing leeches: https://www.hackingchinese.com/killing-leeches/ Zooming in: The tools you need to break down and understand Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zooming-in-the-tools-you-need-to-break-down-and-understand-chinese/ Zooming out: The resources you need to put Chinese in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/zooming-out-the-resources-you-need-to-put-chinese-in-context/ Panning: Keeping similar Chinese characters and words separate: https://www.hackingchinese.com/panning-keeping-similar-chinese-characters-and-words-separate/ Dealing with near-synonyms in Chinese as an independent learner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-near-synonyms-in-chinese-as-an-independent-learner/ How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/ Phonetic components, part 2: Hacking Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-2-hacking-chinese-characters/ 7 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-them/ 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)

    309 - Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up
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About

A podcast about how to learn Mandarin. In-depth discussions about how to overcome challenges, solve problems and get the most out of your learning. For more information and inspiration, visit https://www.hackingchinese.com!

Information

  • Creator
    Olle Linge
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    318
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Olle Linge
  • Show Website
    Hacking Chinese Podcast

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