We’ve all been there. You’ve worked a twelve-hour day, studied for a massive exam, or just finished a marathon workout. You aren’t just “tired”—you are completely drained. While strictly saying wǒ hěn lèi (I am …
8 Ways to Say “I Told You So” in Chinese
There is perhaps nothing more satisfying—and simultaneously annoying—than telling a friend, “I told you so.” Whether they bought a bad coffee you warned them about or forgot their umbrella on a rainy day, sometimes you …
Don’t be a Captain Hindsight! (2 Must-Know Chinese Idioms)
We all know that one person. You make a mistake, break a mug, or fail a test, and they immediately chime in with: “You really should have been more careful” or “I knew that was …
Chinese Tongue Twister Tone Challenge
Have you ever felt like your Mandarin tones are pretty good, but then simple numbers completely trip you up? You’re not alone. The numbers four and ten are a classic stumbling block for learners (and …
An Introduction to the 5 Core Styles of Chinese Calligraphy
Have you ever looked at Chinese calligraphy and marveled at its beauty, even without knowing the language? It’s a dynamic and ancient art form, and with a little background, anyone can learn to appreciate its …
Why Did Ancient Chinese People Have So Many Names?
Picture this: you’re watching a Chinese historical drama. One character calls someone 孔明 (Kǒngmíng), another calls the same person 諸葛亮 (諸葛亮, Zhūgě Liàng), and a third refers to 臥龍先生 (卧龙先生, Wòlóng Xiānshēng). You soon realize …
Taiwan Summer Desserts: Your Guide to Ordering Like a Local
Summer in Taiwan is hot and humid—similar to Florida’s climate, with temperatures reaching 32°C (90°F) and humidity between 65-90%! This explains why there are drink shops on every corner and why dessert shops selling 豆花 …
Lantern Festival Riddles
Updated 13 Feb 2025 Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié (元宵节) ) is the first significant holiday after the Lunar New Year break. It coincides with the first full moon of the month, and is synonymous with beautiful …
Giving Compliments and Answering Tricky Questions in Chinese
In this 2-part video deck, you’ll learn some ways to compliment family and friends. In the second part, you’ll learn ways to tactfully deflect tricky questions. This lesson is perfect for the holiday season where …
Daily Routine in Mandarin Chinese
In this video, Iona takes us through her typical daily routine. You’ll learn lots of useful beginner-friendly terms for your morning, afternoon, and nighttime routines. Study all the terms on the Skritter app – the …