Digital China Survival: The Apps You Can’t Avoid in 2026
China runs on WeChat and Alipay — what to install before you land, which foreign cards work, and the Chinese words that unlock it all.
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The Best Chinese Flashcards: Anki Decks vs Built-In Apps
Anki vs built-in app flashcards: which retains vocabulary? I ran a 30-day comparison and here’s the data, and how to build a deck that doesn’t rot.
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How to Type in Chinese on Any Device (2026 Guide)
Set up pinyin typing on iPhone, Android, Windows, or macOS in about 10 minutes. Plus a daily practice loop and the trick that keeps your tones honest.
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Learn Chinese Characters Without Stroke-by-Stroke Drills
Stop writing characters 50 times. Learn faster with radicals, reading, and spaced repetition — recognition first, handwriting optional.
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Best Chinese Dictionaries: Pleco, Add-ons, and Alternatives
Pleco is still the best Chinese dictionary in 2026 — but you don’t need everything it sells. What to buy, what to skip, and the alternatives that hold up.
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Best Chinese Textbooks in 2026: Honest Teacher Reviews
I’ve taught from every major Chinese textbook. Here’s an honest comparison of the usual suspects — prices, level ranges, and the real gaps each one leaves.
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Can You Pass HSK 1 in 3 Months? A Realistic Plan
HSK 1 in three months is realistic with 20–25 minutes a day — if you don’t waste time on the wrong words. Here’s the week-by-week plan that works.
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Chinese Measure Words Made Less Painful: A Beginner’s Guide
Chinese measure words feel like a minefield until you learn the 12 that cover most real speech. A frequency-first guide with examples, pitfalls, and tones.