How to learn Mandarin tones
A practical guide to the four tones and the neutral tone — what each one sounds like, why minimal pairs trip learners up, and the drilling routine that actually moves the needle.
8 min read
Guides
Long-form notes on the parts of Mandarin learning that benefit from something longer than a flashcard. Written for self-directed learners working through HSK 1–3.
HSK levels explained: HSK 1, 2, and 3
What each HSK level covers, how many characters and words are involved, what the 2021 HSK 3.0 reform changed in practice, and how to know when you are ready for the next level.
9 min read
Chinese radicals: the fundamentals
Radicals versus components, why the 214 Kangxi radicals still matter even though no modern dictionary uses all of them, and a practical sequence for learning the high-yield ones first.
10 min read