ChineseClass101.com Blog

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Chinese could be just what you need to find it. Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Chinese partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At ChineseClass101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Chinese lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material... Show more

Can You Really Learn Chinese Alone? Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals? Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Chinese or any language without traditional classroom instruction: ChineseClass101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is ChineseClass101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options! Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Chinese or any language alone. Also, don't forget... Show more

As opposed to the Gregorian New Year, the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year. This involves an array of Chinese New Year celebrations which are unique to the Chinese culture. By learning more about the Chinese New Year, you’re not only giving yourself a foothold in learning the language, but you’re showing respect for the country. Learn more about Chinese New Year traditions, along with other Chinese New Year facts, with ChineseClass101.com! 1. What is Chinese New Year’s? The Chinese New Year is considered the most important festival in China. The last night of the lunar year is called 除夕 (chúxī), which means New Year's Eve, and is usually celebrated within the family. On some occasions you may also hear the phrase 小除夕（xiǎo... Show more

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Chinese well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Chinese conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language. Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For... Show more

Today, classrooms are no longer the only or even best place to learn a new language like Chinese. More and more people are finding that they can easily learn a language just about anywhere they have a few minutes of spare time, including their daily commute to work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends over 50 minutes a day commuting to and from work, or over 300 hours a year. Rethinking Your Daily Commute to Work But rather than simply sitting in traffic and wasting the time, you can instead use your daily commute to literally learn Chinese in just a few short months! ChineseClass101 has developed specialized learning tools that you can use on your commute to work (and home again) to master the language... Show more

China has always been known for its long-cultivated history and culture. It’s an old country that has built its own characteristics over time. Just like every other country, Chinese etiquette has absorbed the very heart of Chinese culture. By learning how to greet people in Chinese, you’ll be getting a good start in your study of the Chinese language while also becoming a bit more familiar with Chinese culture! Greetings are always one of the first things someone learns when studying a new language. They’re the key to ensuring the people you talk to have a good impression of you right from the beginning. A proper Chinese greeting can really open up the gate to a fuller, desired conversation. If you’re a beginner in learning Chinese,... Show more

Learning about Chinese holidays is one of the best ways to really dig into the country’s culture, which is necessary for optimal language learning. Today we’ll be looking at one of the more traditional Chinese holidays, the Laba Festival (also called the Chinese Laba Rice Porridge Festival). We’ll be going over what makes the Laba Festival special, including the Chinese porridge they call Laba porridge (or Laba congee) and the celebration’s history. Find out all you need to know about The Laba Rice Porridge Festival on ChineseClass101.com, from its significance to vocabulary you should know! 1. Why Should You Know About The Laba Rice Porridge Festival? The Laba Rice Porridge Festival (or simply the Laba Festival) in China,... Show more

Different people have different goals for learning Mandarin. Some may do it to connect with distant relatives or their family heritage. Some do it to pickup up the language for an added edge in the business world. Still others learn the language because they’re naturally drawn to Chinese culture and history. By far one of the most common reasons for learning Mandarin is the desire to travel and use the language in China. There’s something exhilarating about the idea of wandering abroad and interacting with people in a foreign tongue. It’s certainly a noble and motivating goal, but there is a common misconception about traveling abroad to learn or use a foreign language... People all too often assume that travel is the language... Show more

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more

This article is intended to go over some of the most common mistakes committed by students when trying to learn Chinese. The points listed here are based on my experience as a student and as the manager of a small Chinese Academy. 1. Neglecting to study Chinese characters One of the most complicated aspects of the Chinese language is without a doubt its writing system. Learning how to read and write characters is a difficult task that can discourage many students. Many students who are anxious to learn Chinese as quickly as possible decide to put aside studying writing to focus on learning how to speak Chinese through the phonetic system (pinyin). There is no doubt that learning Chinese exclusively through pinyin is the most... Show more