Mandarin

Starting Mandarin can feel overwhelming, and many new learners wonder if they should focus on Hanzi (Chinese characters) or stick with Pinyin (the Romanized pronunciation guide). Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each approach, especially helpful for first-time learners: Why Learn Pinyin? Pinyin is a system of Roman letters that represents Mandarin pronunciation, helping learners […]

What is Hanzi?In Mandarin, Hanzi refers to the unique characters that make up the written language. Unlike alphabets, where letters form words, each Chinese character represents a syllable and often conveys its own meaning. While Pinyin (the Romanized phonetic system) helps with pronunciation, Hanzi brings visual meaning to each word.The Origins of HanziHanzi characters date back thousands of years,

The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the official Mandarin proficiency exam, designed for non-native speakers. It’s divided into levels, each building language skills from beginner (HSK 1) to advanced (HSK 9). Preparation involves mastering vocabulary, practicing listening and reading, and familiarizing yourself with the format. HSK 1 (Absolute Beginner) HSK 2 (Elementary) HSK 3 (High