Chinese Characters and Vocabulary
Build useful Mandarin vocabulary and learn to recognise Chinese characters with practical, high-frequency study methods.
Why Chinese Words Disappear From Memory—and a Better Way to Review Them
You recognise 谢谢 on a menu but can't recall it at the till. The problem isn't memory—it's how you review. Here's a retrieval-first routine that makes Mandarin vocabulary stick.
2026-10-04 · 7 min
Radicals Without the Rabbit Hole: The 20 Components Beginners Actually Need
Stop memorising 214 radicals. Learn the 20 components that actually appear in signs, menus and forms — with real characters, a branching dialogue and a 7-day plan.
2026-10-03 · 9 min
Should You Learn to Handwrite Chinese? A Practical Answer for Life in China
Decide what to handwrite, type, or just recognise in Chinese based on your daily life in China, exams, memory, and time. A practical, no-nonsense guide for adult beginners.
2026-10-03 · 8 min
Where Does One Chinese Word End? How to Read Sentences Without Spaces
Chinese text has no spaces, so beginners must learn to spot word boundaries. This guide shows how to use grammar patterns, familiar chunks, and temporary spacing to read real sentences.
2026-10-03 · 8 min
未, 末, 土, 士: How to Stop Mixing Up Look-Alike Chinese Characters
Stop mixing up 未, 末, 土, 士 and other look-alike Chinese characters. A feature-first method using position, proportion, words, and context—plus a 7-day plan.
2026-10-02 · 7 min
How to Build a 500-Word Chinese Vocabulary You Can Actually Use
A needs-based system for building 500 usable Chinese words: organize by actions and places, retrieve weekly, delete what you don't use. Includes a 7-day plan.
2026-10-02 · 8 min
Learn Chinese Characters Without Copying Them All Night
A recognition-first method for remembering useful characters without turning every study session into handwriting drills.
2026-09-29 · 6 min
The Small Chinese Vocabulary Set That Helps You Read Menus and Signs
Thirty high-frequency words that make menus, signs, and everyday labels less mysterious.
2026-09-28 · 6 min