How to Ask for Things Politely in Chinese: 请, 麻烦, and Soft Requests
Five request patterns cover most polite asks in Chinese: 请, 麻烦, 可以…吗, 能…吗, and 我想. Learn when each fits, with tone-marked examples and a real office dialogue.
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Online Mandarin Tutors: iTalki vs Preply, Prices and Tips
Trying an online Mandarin tutor? iTalki vs Preply, what lessons cost, how to book in Chinese — 试听, 预约, 口语 — and my five-lesson rule, with tones.
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Returning Things in China: 退货, Refunds, and What to Say
Need to return something in China? 退货, 换货, 退款 all start with the receipt. Know your rights and the exact lines to say — with tone notes and a dialogue.
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How to Say What You Like in Chinese: 喜欢 and the Soft No
喜欢 xǐhuan, 爱 ài, and the soft no: 我不太喜欢. Express likes and dislikes the way locals actually do — with tone notes, a ladder table, and a dinner dialogue.
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Chinese Birthdays: Customs, Phrases, and What to Say
Chinese birthdays: 生日快乐, long-life noodles, cake, and a toast beat expensive gifts. What to say, what to give, and how 周岁 vs 虚岁 works — with tones.
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How to Talk About Weather in Chinese: 13 Phrases That Work
Weather is the safest small talk in Mandarin: 今天天气真好, 要下雨了, 太热了 and the reply lines that keep a conversation going — with tones and drills.
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How to Compare Things in Chinese: 比, 更, and 最 Made Simple
Comparing things in Chinese is one pattern: A 比 B + adjective. Learn 比, 更, 最, 没有…那么 and 差不多 with tones and sentences you can use today.
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Public Transport in China: Metro, Bus & DiDi Phrases
Metro, bus, and DiDi: the Mandarin that gets you around Chinese cities. Transfer phrases, stops, pickup points, and plate numbers — with tones and real conversations.
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How to Say Thank You in Chinese: 12 Phrases Beyond 谢谢
谢谢 is only the start. Learn when to say 多谢, 辛苦啦, 麻烦你了 and how to reply — with tones, contexts, and the responses Chinese people actually use in 2026.
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How to Ask Questions in Chinese: 什么, 哪里, 怎么 & More
Question words in Mandarin behave differently than in English. Learn 什么, 哪里, 怎么, 为什么 and the word-order rule that fixes half your mistakes — with tones and drills.