Hacking Chinese

A better way of learning Mandarin

Articles in the ‘Reading’ category

  1. Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability

    Digital dictionaries make reading Chinese easier, but they might also prevent you from learning essential strategies. Let’s have a look at why using a good dictionary can be bad for your reading ability!

    Read →

  2. The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners

    Reading is the best way to expand vocabulary and learn new things in Chinese. What are the best free resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners? This article collects and introduces the ten best free reading resources in each category!

    Read →

  3. Chinese reading challenge, April 2025

    It’s time for a Chinese reading challenge! It starts on April 10th, so enrol, set your goal and read as much as you can before the end of the month. This article contains more information about the challenge, as well as some advice about improving reading ability in Chinese.

    Read →

  4. Student Q&A: April, 2025: Reading with Pinyin, Chinese texts on your phone, and deciphering handwriting

    Should you read Chinese with or without Pinyin? What are the pros and cons of reading on your phone? And how do you learn to read Chinese people’s handwriting?

    Read →

  5. The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025

    Videos are ideal for learning Chinese. The visual element makes the content more comprehensible and engaging, resulting in effective and enjoyable learning. But what videos should you watch? What are the best YouTube Channels?

    Read →

  6. Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated

    The more Chinese you learn, the less noticeable your progress becomes. Benchmarking can make your improvements more visible and help you stay motivated!

    Read →

  7. Can English learning materials help you learn Chinese?

    Can English learning materials for Chinese speakers help you learn Mandarin? Discover their potential, pitfalls, and how to use them effectively.

    Read →

  8. Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary

    How can you remember the difference between similar Chinese characters? Are flashcards better than reading for building vocabulary? And how do you learn polyphonic characters?

    Read →

  9. Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts

    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?

    Read →

  10. Three things I wish I had known as an advanced student of Chinese: The time machine, part 3

    Improving after you reach an advanced level of Chinese 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.

    Read →