Best BU Languages Podcasts (2025)

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270 - How to not teach Chinese characters to beginners: A 12-step approach 10:15

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2d ago10:15

10:15

I started learning Chinese well over a decade ago, and I have encountered many great teachers. But I have also seen truly terrible teaching, especially when it comes to Chinese characters. #learnchinese #characters #hanzi #teaching Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-teach-chinese-characters-to-beginner…

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269 - Same building blocks, different characters: How component placement changes meaning in Chinese 13:59

9d ago13:59

13:59

Chinese character components are usually placed in predictable ways, so if you remember the components, you can often write the character. But not always. Some characters share components but differ only in how they're arranged. #learnchinese #charcaters #hanzi #compounds #components #composition Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: Same buildin…

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268 - 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back 25:23

16d ago25:23

25:23

Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore 8 more myths that might be holding you back! #learnchinese #myths #hanzi #input #study Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that…

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267 - How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor 21:44

23d ago21:44

21:44

Most Chinese learners want one thing above all: to speak better. Many turn to a teacher for guidance, but that is only the first step. True progress depends on how you work with that teacher. #learnchinese #tutor #teacher #speaking #lessons Link to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://ww…

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266 - What important words are missing from HSK? 18:18

1M ago18:18

18:18

HSK is the most widely used proficiency test for Chinese, and many learners aim to master the vocabulary at each level. Yet some of the most important words are missing from the HSK. #learnchinese #hsk #vocabulary Link to article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-important-words-are-missing-from-hsk/ Note: This is a rerecorded…

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265 - 5 common challenges in Mandarin listening comprehension and how to overcome them 15:23

1M ago15:23

15:23

Can you ask questions in Mandarin but struggle to understand the answers? Do you feel that you know the words, but people just speak too fast? And why do words in Chinese sound so similar? #learnchinese #listening #fluent #comprehension #course Link The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com…

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264 - Learning Chinese through comprehensible input 20:58

2M ago20:58

20:58

Can you really learn Mandarin through listening and reading alone? What is comprehensible input, and how do you get enough of it?And how do speaking, writing, grammar, and flashcards fit in? #learnchinese #comprehensibleinput #ci #input #reading #listening Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://ww…

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263 - Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese 10:42

2M ago10:42

10:42

The fastest way to learn to communicate in Chinese is to learn classroom expressions first. Master essential phrases that help you learn Mandarin without relying on English! #learnchinese #classroom #teaching #expressions #phrases #vocabulary Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chine…

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262 - Getting the most from Hacking Chinese in 2025: Back-to-school course discount, 2025 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

There are over 500 articles and more than 1 million words on Hacking Chinese. How are you supposed to absorb all that information and inspiration as a student? Let’s discuss how to get the most out of my website and podcast! Back-to-school course discount, 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/ Use the …

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261 - Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? 15:16

2M ago15:16

15:16

Should you learn Chinese characters from the start, or focus on speaking first? There are good arguments for both approaches, but one makes more sense for most students. Please note: This is a rerecorded version of episode 1. That means that it's both episode 1 and episode 261. #learnchinese #mandarin #hanzi #spoken #written Link to article on Hack…

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260 - 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand 20:19

2M ago20:19

20:19

Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 more popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand to see if they hold up to scrutiny. #learnchinese #handwriting #hanzi #chinesecharacters Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchines…

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259 - Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice 13:53

3M ago13:53

13:53

You don’t need to be fluent to speak Mandarin with AI. These beginner-friendly chatbot activities offer low-pressure practice that builds confidence, comprehension, and conversation skills. #learnchinese #ai #chatbot #chatgpt #speaking #input Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice: https://ww…

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258 - How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide 12:00

3M ago12:00

12:00

A great tutor can accelerate your learning, but finding the right one isn’t easy. To get the best results, you need to be patient and try many options. Here is how! #learnchinese #tutor #teacher #online #offline Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-t…

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257 - Student Q&A: July, 2025: AI feedback, input methods and topics for writing 17:17

3M ago17:17

17:17

How do you get good feedback on your Chinese writing using AI? What’s the best input method for students? And how do you find interesting topics to write about? #learnchinese #writing #ai #typing #topic Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A: July, 2025: AI feedback, input methods and topics for writing: https://www.hackingchinese.com/stud…

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256 - 8 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand 24:02

3M ago24:02

24:02

Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand, each critically examined to see which ones truly stand up to scrutiny. #learnchinese #handwriting #hanzi #chinesecharacters Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 8 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by h…

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255 - 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher 17:22

4M ago17:22

17:22

A great tutor can transform your Chinese learning, but how do you know if a tutor is good? Let's explore the key qualities that make a tutor truly effective! #learnchinese #tutor #teacher Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chine…

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254 - How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions 17:11

4M ago17:11

17:11

Having a tutor can be great for learning Chinese, but how much progress you make depends as much on you as on the tutor. Come prepared, stay engaged, and make the most of each session! #learnchinese #tutor #teacher #student Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/…

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253 - 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back 29:10

4M ago29:10

29:10

Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore eight myths that might be holding you back! #learnchinese #myths #hanzi #pronunciation #study Link to article on Hacking Chinese: 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-th…

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252 - Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 7: How to navigate different types of listening in Mandarin 16:38

4M ago16:38

16:38

Listening is essential when learning Mandarin, but not all listening situations are the same. By recognising different types of listening, you can improve your chances of successfully navigating spoken Mandarin. #learnchinese #listening #conversations #comprehension The best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-pod…

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251 - Student Q&A: June, 2025: Beginner listening, group conversations, and Chinese news 16:35

4M ago16:35

16:35

How do you get started with listening in Mandarin? What makes group conversations so challenging? And is it true that news broadcasts in Chinese are harder than in other languages? #learnchinese #listening #beginner #news #conversations Chinese listening challenge, June 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ The Fluent Li…

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250 - Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin? 9:07

5M ago9:07

9:07

Is learning how to learn worth your time, or should you just engage directly with Chinese instead? The answer depends, but the longer your perspective, the more important it becomes to tweak your method! #learnchinese #how-to #progress #hackingchinese #efficiency Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: Will reading or listening to Hacking Chine…

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249 - Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters 12:39

5M ago12:39

12:39

Zi.Tools is a great free resource for exploring Chinese characters. See what it offers and how you can use it to boost your learning! #learnchinese #chinesecharacters #hanzi #etymology #analysis #dictionary Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: Zi.Tools: A powerful free resource for exploring Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com…

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248 - Student Q&A: May, 2025: Learning Chinese characters and words with flashcard apps 12:51

5M ago12:51

12:51

Should you focus on learning many words superficially or few words well? How do you stay motivated when flashcards get boring? And how can you tell if you really know a word? #learnchinese #vocabulary #flashcards #skritter #q&a Link to written article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-may-2025-learning-chinese-characters…

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247 - 7 kinds of tone problems in Mandarin and what to do about them 16:49

5M ago16:49

16:49

Tones in Mandarin are tricky, and students face many different kinds of problems. Identifying the type of problem is important for fixing it. #learnchinese #tones #pronunciation #challenges #speaking #listening Link to article: 7 kinds of tone problems in Mandarin and what to do about them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/7-kinds-tone-problems/ Lear…

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246 - Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability 13:12

6M ago13:12

13:12

Digital dictionaries make reading Chinese easier, but they might also prevent you from learning essential strategies. Let's have a look at why using a good dictionary can be bad for your reading ability! #learnchinese #reading #dictionary #digital #strategies Link to article: Why using a good dictionary can be bad for your Chinese reading ability: …

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245 - The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners 12:17

6M ago12:17

12:17

Reading is the best way to expand vocabulary and learn about new things, but how should you approach reading in Chinese? And what are the best free reading resources out there? #learnchinese #reading #resources #free #beginner #intermediate #advanced Link: ⁠The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠…

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244 - Student Q&A: April, 2025: Reading with Pinyin, Chinese texts on your phone, and deciphering handwriting 17:16

6M ago17:16

17:16

Should you read Chinese with or without Pinyin? What are the pros and cons of reading on your phone? And how do you learn to read Chinese people’s handwriting? #learnchinese #reading #yinyin #handwriting #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A: April, 2025: Reading with Pinyin, Chinese texts on your phone, and deciphering handwr…

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243 - How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation 14:46

6M ago14:46

14:46

Memory is a skill that can be practised, learnt, and mastered. By using the right method, remembering even abstract things like tones and pronunciation in Mandarin becomes possible, even easy! #learnchinese #mnemonics #tones #pronunciation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to use mnemonics to learn Mandarin tones and pronunciation: https://ww…

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242 - Don’t be a tourist if you want to learn Chinese 12:44

7M ago12:44

12:44

Living and travelling abroad can help you learn Chinese, but your attitude matters. To truly learn, stop being a tourist! #learnchinese #tourist #travel #expat #languagelearning Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don't be a tourist if you want to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-be-a-tourist/ You won’t learn Chinese simply by liv…

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241 - Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese 13:56

7M ago13:56

13:56

Should you cram or use spaced repetition to learn Chinese? Discover when each method works best and why spaced repetition is key to long-term success. #learnchinese #review #vocabulary #cramming #srs #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.…

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240 - The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese 12:46

7M ago12:46

12:46

Videos are ideal for learning Chinese, because the visual element enhances comprehension and engagement. But what videos should you watch? What are the best YouTube channels? #learnchinese #youtube #video #immersion #listening Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/…

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239 - Student Q&A: March, 2025: Chinese slang, leaving expat bubbles, and competing with other learners 15:13

7M ago15:13

15:13

Is learning Chinese slang worth your time? What do you do when someone with less study time speaks better than you? And how can you escape the expat bubble and start learning Mandarin? #learnchinese #q&a #speaking #slang #expat #progress Chinese speaking challenge, March 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-speaking-challenge/ Student Q&A: …

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238 - Learning Chinese by playing board games 10:25

8M ago10:25

10:25

Board games are more than just fun, they’re a powerful way to learn Chinese, boosting vocabulary, fluency, and communication skills! #learnchinese #boardgames #game #fluency #communication Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese by playing board games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-playing-board-games/ How to use comp…

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237 - Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner 11:38

8M ago11:38

11:38

Some say that dating a native speaker is the ultimate shortcut to fluency. “You’ll learn effortlessly with a teacher always by your side!” But is learning Chinese with a partner really the silver bullet it’s often made out to be? #learnchinese #partner #boyfriend #girlfriend #wife #husband Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Love and language: Chal…

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236 - The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation 19:27

8M ago19:27

19:27

Most students of Chinese find listening comprehension a challenge. To truly become a fluent listener, use the Input Pyramid to rethink and upgrade your listening practice! #learnchinese #listening #input #fluent Link to article on Hacking Chinese:https://www.hackingchinese.com/course-fluent-listener-mandarin-listening-comprehension Link to a video …

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235 - Student Q&A: February, 2025: Improving listening ability quickly, using transcripts, and understanding rapid Mandarin 13:18

8M ago13:18

13:18

How do you improve listening ability as quickly as possible? Are there any strategies to deal with rapid speech? And how many times should you listen before using a transcript? #learnchinese #improvement #strategies #rapidspeech #transcripts Chinese listening challenge, February 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ The …

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234 - Reader and listener survey + Lunar New Year discount 6:50

9M ago6:50

6:50

I started Hacking Chinese to help people learn Mandarin, and your feedback is essential, so please fill out my listener survey. Also, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, I'm offering a hefty discount on three of my courses. #learnchinese #cny #discount #courses #survey Hacking Chinese reader and listener survey: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hacking-…

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233 - The three roads to mastering Chinese 13:28

9M ago13:28

13:28

You’d think that there are many roads to mastering Chinese, but in truth, there are only three. #learnchinese #mastery #fluency #work #social #hobby #motivation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The three roads to mastering Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.h…

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232 - Best of Hacking Chinese 2024 17:04

9M ago17:04

17:04

Another year has come to an end. Which were the most popular articles on Hacking Chinese in 2024 The most popular podcast episodes? It's time to summarise the year that was and highlight the things you really shouldn’t miss! #learnchinese #bestof #summary #articles #podcast Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Best of Hacking Chinese 2024: https://w…

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231 - Student Q&A, January 2025: Chinese that reads like English, feedback from AI, and writing formal Chinese 18:39

9M ago18:39

18:39

What do you do if your teacher says that your text reads like English written with Chinese words? How can you get good feedback on your Chinese writing from ChatGPT? And how can you learn to write in a professional or academic setting? #learnchinese #translation #chatgpt #ai #feedback #academia #professional Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don’…

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230 - What native speakers know about Chinese (and what they don't) 19:05

9M ago19:05

19:05

You say something in Mandarin, a native speaker corrects you, and you adjust. The next day, another native speaker tells you to revert to your original phrasing. What's going on? #learnchinese #nativespeaker #explicit #implicit #feedback Link to article on Hacking Chinese: What native speakers know about Chinese (and what they don’t): https://www.h…

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229 - Don’t use mnemonics for everything when learning Chinese 16:15

10M ago16:15

16:15

Mnemonics are clever memory techniques you can use to learn and remember more, but this doesn't mean that you should always use them. If you do, you will end up spending more time on mnemonics than you do engaging with the Chinese language. #learnchinese #characters #mnemonics #memory Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Don’t use mnemonics for ever…

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228 - Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated 26:03

10M ago26:03

26:03

The more Chinese you learn, the less noticeable your progress becomes. Benchmarking can make your improvements more visible and help you stay motivated! #learnchinese #benchmarking #progress #proficiency Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated: https://www.hackingchinese.com/benchmarking-progress/ How …

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227 - Can English learning materials help you learn Chinese? 12:21

10M ago12:21

12:21

You step into a bookshop, exploring the Chinese section, only to find a few textbooks and a 'Learn Chinese in Your Car.' But in the English section, shelves overflow with resources for Chinese speakers. And you wonder: could these books help you learn Chinese? #learnchinese #english #esl #resources #books Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Can Eng…

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226 - Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary 19:12

10M ago19:12

19:12

How can you remember the difference between similar Chinese characters? Are flashcards better than reading for building vocabulary? And how do you learn polyphonic characters? #learnchinese #vocabulary #characters #reading #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic cha…

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225 - Which Chinese learning resources are worth paying for? 16:13

11M ago16:13

16:13

Thanks to the internet, learning Chinese is now more accessible than ever, and you can do it completely for free. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should, however. If you have money to invest, here's how to do so with the greatest impact. #learnchinese #resources #paid #premium #free Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Which Chinese learn…

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224 - Welcome to The Fluent Listener, a new course from Hacking Chinese! 8:22

11M ago8:22

8:22

Want to understand Mandarin naturally, at any level? This course guides you in building an immersive listening environment and equips you with essential listening strategies. Strengthen your listening ability to unlock conversations, connect with others, and dive into Chinese society and culture, making you feel 如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ), like a fish in wa…

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223 - Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension 16:07

11M ago16:07

16:07

Listening is the cornerstone of language learning, yet many students struggle to improve their Mandarin listening comprehension. Fortunately, making progress isn’t as difficult as you might think; just follow these four key principles! #learnchinese #listening #comprehension #improve #motivation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Four key principl…

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222 - Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts 16:59

11M ago16:59

16:59

Is reading digitally in Chinese better than on paper? What are the best digital tools for reading? And what should you do if you can’t find texts that are both interesting and at the right level? #learnchinese #reading #faq #digital #paper #tools #comprehensible #engaging Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons…

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221 - How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours 16:20

11M ago16:20

16:20

Many people believe that learning a new script is challenging, but mastering systems like Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Japanese kana is surprisingly easy. With the right approach and resources, you can do it in just a few hours! #learnchinese #zhuyin #bopomofo #taiwan Link to article: How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.…