Hacking Chinese Podcast

Olle Linge

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. 271 - 7 ways to learn to write Chinese characters

    13 OKT

    271 - 7 ways to learn to write Chinese characters

    Learning to write characters is an integral part of learning Chinese, but how do you practise writing them? Do you type? Write on paper? Or… on the canvas of your mind? #learnchinese #chinesecharacters #hanzi #writing #vocabulary #typing Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: 7 ways to learn to write Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-ways-of-learning-to-write-chinese-characters/ Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/ The 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-nutshell/ Handwriting Chinese characters: The minimum requirements: https://www.hackingchinese.com/handwriting-chinese-characters-the-minimum-requirements/ 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/ All the resources you need to learn and teach Chinese stroke order: https://www.hackingchinese.com/everything-you-need-to-learn-chinese-stroke-order/ How to improve your Chinese handwriting: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-handwriting/ The building blocks of Chinese: Mastering compound characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters/ The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/ Pleco Software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/go/pleco/ Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-system Skritter Review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/ About cheating, spaced repetition and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-cheating-spaced-repetition-and-learning-chinese/ Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ 25 books I read in Chinese last year: https://www.hackingchinese.com/25-books-i-read-in-chinese-last-year/ How I learnt Chinese, part 6: Graduate program in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-6-graduate-program-taiwan/ Remember how to write Chinese characters with less effort: 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)

    17 min
  2. 270 - How to not teach Chinese characters to beginners: A 12-step approach

    6 OKT

    270 - How to not teach Chinese characters to beginners: A 12-step approach

    I started learning Chinese well over a decade ago, and I have encountered many great teachers. But I have also seen truly terrible teaching, especially when it comes to Chinese characters. #learnchinese #characters #hanzi #teaching Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-teach-chinese-characters-to-beginners-a-12-step-approach/ Note: This is an updated version of episode 3, originally published in 2020. How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/ Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters/ 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/ The 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-nutshell/ Why you should think of characters in terms of functional components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-think-of-characters-in-terms-of-functional-components/ Should you learn the pronunciation of radicals? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-pronunciation-of-radicals/ Learning Chinese characters through pictures: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/ Phonetic components, part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/ 5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/ An introduction to spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/ Handwriting Chinese characters: The minimum requirements: https://www.hackingchinese.com/handwriting-chinese-characters-the-minimum-requirements/ A minimum effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand/ Learn to read Chinese with ease: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-to-read-chinese-with-ease/ Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/ Simplified and traditional Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/simplified-and-traditional-chinese/ Are simplified characters really simpler to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learn/ Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/ Pleco: http://hackingchinese.com/pleco Outlier Linguistics character dictionary review: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/ 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)

    10 min
  3. 269 - Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese

    29 SEP

    269 - Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese

    Chinese character components are usually placed in predictable ways, so if you remember the components, you can often write the character. But not always. Some characters share components but differ only in how they're arranged. #learnchinese #charcaters #hanzi #compounds #components #composition Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-characters-components-different-meanings/ The 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-nutshell/ Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/ How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ An introduction to spaced repetition software: 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/ My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/ Shapeshifting Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/shapeshifting-chinese-characters/ Don’t use mnemonics to remember things you don’t need to remember: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-use-mnemonics-for-everything/ 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)

    14 min
  4. 268 - 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back

    22 SEP

    268 - 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back

    Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore 8 more myths that might be holding you back! #learnchinese #myths #hanzi #input #study Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back/ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/ Learning to unicycle, learning anatomy and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-unicycle-learning-anatomy-and-learning-chinese/ Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/ Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/ The 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-nutshell/ Learning Chinese characters through pictures: A warning and a how-to: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/ Phonetic components, part 1: The key to 80% of all Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/ Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/ Are there any shortcuts for learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-there-any-shortcuts-for-learning-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/ 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/ The importance of knowing many words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/  An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/ 20 Actually Useful Chengyu (Carl Gene Fordham) https://carlgene.com/blog/2010/07/20-actually-useful-chengyu-%E6%88%90%E8%AF%AD/ Chengyu, a magic 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)

    25 min
  5. 267 - How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor

    15 SEP

    267 - How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor

    Most Chinese learners want one thing above all: to speak better. Many turn to a teacher for guidance, but that is only the first step. True progress depends on how you work with that teacher. #learnchinese #tutor #teacher #speaking #lessons Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/ The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-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/ The best resources for learning Chinese through listening in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/guides/chinese-listening-resources/ Beginner Chinese listening practice: the best resources and tools: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice/ The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/ Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Course for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-the-ultimate-course-for-beginners/ The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/ Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/ Is taking a Chinese course that’s too hard good for your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-taking-a-chinese-course-thats-too-hard-good-for-your-learning/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ Learning too many words at once: Consequences and solutions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-too-many-words-at-once-consequences-and-solutions/ Don’t try to improve everything at once: Focus on one thing at a time instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-try-to-improve-everything-at-once-focus-on-one-thing-at-a-time-instead/ Will a Chinese-only rule improve your speaking ability? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-chinese-only-rule-improve-your-speaking-ability/ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-comprehensible-input/ Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/ How I learnt Chinese, part 4: My second year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-4%EF%BC%9A-second-year-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)

    22 min

Trailer

Info

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!

Suggesties voor jou