Podcast · Learning

Hacking Chinese Podcast

A podcast about how to learn Mandarin. In-depth discussions about how to overcome challenges, solve problems and get the most out of your learning. For more information and inspiration, visit https://www.hackingchinese.com!

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 15 min

323 - How to get the most out of your first semester of Chinese

Taking a Chinese course is a great way to get started, but following the syllabus alone can leave important gaps. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary detours and make your first semester count. #learnchinese #course #semester Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to get the most out of your first semester of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-key-to-unlocking-your-first-semester-of-chinese/ How I learnt Chinese, part 2: Learning Mandarin in Sweden: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-2-foreign-language-learning-in-sweden/ How to get good grades…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E322 · 4 Oct 2026 · 14 min
322 - The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese
Long-term goals are easy to set, but much harder to stick to. The forking path offers a more flexible way to make steady progress with your Chinese, one small choice at a time. #learnchinese #goals #approach Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/ The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/ The three roads to mastering Chinese:…
S1 · E317 · 28 Sep 2026 · 18 min
321 - How to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Chinese
Translating everything in your head makes speaking and listening to Chinese slow and difficult. Here’s why it happens, and how to stop doing it and start thinking in Chinese instead. #learnchinese #speaking #translation #listening Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-stop-translating-in-your-head-and-start-thinking-in-chinese/ How to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/ The cheapest and…
S1 · E320 · 20 Sep 2026 · 24 min
320 - Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how
The best way to learn to understand spoken Mandarin is to listen as much as you can to engaging content that you can make sense of. But what should you listen to and how? #learnchinese #beginner #listening #comprehensibleinput Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/ Learning Chinese is more like walking a thousand miles than running 100-metre dash:…
S1 · E319 · 13 Sep 2026 · 17 min
319 - No, ChatGPT can't analyse your Mandarin pronunciation
ChatGPT can offer valuable feedback on Mandarin word choice and grammar, but can it help you improve your pronunciation? #learnchinese #pronunciation #chatgpt Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: No, ChatGPT can't analyse your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/no-chatgpt-cant-analyse-your-mandarin-pronunciation/ Full ChatGPT transcript: https://chatgpt.com/share/6aa3adc2-6938-83eb-9dfd-adb8477854ac Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Using speech recognition…
S1 · E318 · 6 Sep 2026 · 25 min
318 - 9 questions about Pinyin and Chinese pronunciation
Learning to pronounce Mandarin can be tricky, and if you misunderstand the link between spoken sounds and Pinyin spelling, it gets a lot worse. Let’s discuss nine questions about learning Chinese pronunciation. #learnchinese #pinyin #pronunciation #questions Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: 9 answers to questions about Pinyin and pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/9-answers-to-questions-about-pinyin-and-pronunciation/ Chinese Language Stack Exchange: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/ 5 websites to help answer your questions about Chinese:…
S1 · E317 · 30 Aug 2026 · 26 min
317 - Getting the most out of Hacking Chinese in 2026 (back-to-school course discounts)
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 Hacking Chinese and the courses I've created to provide more structured guidance. Back-to-school course discount, 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/ Get $31 off any course with the code “kaixue”, or $128 off when buying any three courses with the code “buy3”. Both discounts are available through September 9! Tags: #learnchinese #course #howto…
S1 · E316 · 23 Aug 2026 · 18 min
316 - How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe)
Dictation tests, or 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě), are common in Chinese courses, but many students struggle with them. Here is a guide for how to nail any dictation test! #learnchinese #dictation #tingxie #test #chinesecharacters #hanzi Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: A guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxǐe): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/ Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Beyond tīng bu…
S1 · E315 · 16 Aug 2026 · 12 min
315 - Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose
Flashcards can teach you to write Chinese characters, but they can be boring and hide problems. Communicative handwriting is more engaging and prepares you for real-world tasks. #learnchinese #characters #hanzi #handwriting #communication Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Communicative handwriting: Writing Chinese with a real purpose: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-write-chinese-characters-through-communication/ How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ Spaced repetition software:…
S1 · E314 · 10 Aug 2026 · 20 min
314 - How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components
Mountains, trees and rocks are easy to use in mnemonics. But what do you do with character components whose meanings are general, abstract or overlapping? #learnchinese #mnemonics #characters #components #vocabulary Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to create mnemonics for general, abstract or overlapping character components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-create-mnemonics-for-general-or-abstract-character-components/ Remembering is a skill you can learn: Mnemonics for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn/…
S1 · E313 · 3 Aug 2026 · 6 min
313 - Why you should listen to the Hacking Chinese Podcast
Listening to a podcast about learning Chinese is not the same as learning Chinese, so why spend your limited time on the Hacking Chinese Podcast? #learnchinese #podcast #hackingchinese Link to The Hacking Chinese Podcast: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/ Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-reading-hacking-chinese-help-you-learn-mandarin/ 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at…
S1 · E312 · 26 Jul 2026 · 14 min
312 - The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better
90% of an iceberg is underwater, yet we mostly pay attention to the bit that sticks up. The same is true for proficiency in Chinese: speaking ability is easy to see, but relies on a much larger system underneath. #learnchinese #speaking #input #iceberg Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn’t enough to speak better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-chinese-iceberg-why-speaking-more-isnt-enough-to-speak-better/ The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation:…
S1 · E311 · 20 Jul 2026 · 6 min
311 - New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection
I have published a book! It's called Hacking Chinese: the Snake Collection and contains articles I wrote in 2025, the Year of the Snake. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, but Chinese characters, tutors and input are the most prominent. #learnchinese #anthology #hackingchinese #snake Link to article on Hacking Chinese: New book: Hacking Chinese: The Snake Collection: https://www.hackingchinese.com/new-book-hacking-chinese-the-snake-collection/ Purchase the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bOH8i5 Best of Hacking Chinese 2025:…
S1 · E310 · 12 Jul 2026 · 12 min
310 - 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese
Most learners know they should “listen more”, but what they listen to matters. To improve, you need to make sense of spoken Mandarin, not listen to people explain Mandarin in English. #learnchinese #listening #podcast #english #input Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: 30 minutes of podcast, 3 minutes of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/30-minutes-of-podcast-3-minutes-of-chinese/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly:…
S1 · E309 · 6 Jul 2026 · 14 min
309 - Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up
When we first start learning Chinese, each new character is hard to learn, but as we learn more, it gets easier. But a new problem soon appears: Mixing up similar characters. #learnchinese #characters #vocabulary #forgetting Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Dealing with Chinese characters you keep mixing up: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dealing-with-chinese-characters-you-keep-mixing-up/ The real challenge with learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-real-challenge-when-learning-characters/ Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character…
S1 · E308 · 29 Jun 2026 · 17 min
308 - How much Chinese should you listen to every day?
Listening is the most important skill. To improve your listening ability in Chinese, you need to listen a lot, but how much should you listen every day? #learnchinese #listening #time #practice #immersion Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/ The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water Beginner Chinese listening practice:…
22 Jun 2026 · 17 min
307 - How technology can stop you from learning Chinese
Technology can make learning Chinese easier, but only if it helps you engage more with the language. Used poorly, the same tools can get in the way of learning instead of supporting it. #learnchinese #technology #traps #ai Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/ How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier Analysis paralysis and learning Chinese: When thinking too much holds you…
S1 · E306 · 15 Jun 2026 · 15 min
306 - How technology can make learning Chinese easier
Technology can make learning Chinese easier, not by doing the learning for you, but by helping you spend more time on what actually matters: listening, reading and communicating in Chinese. #learnchinese #technology #ai #benefits Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/ The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners:…
S1 · E305 · 7 Jun 2026 · 14 min
305 - When spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it
Spaced repetition software is designed to delay reviews as long as possible without letting you forget. For learning Chinese, though, barely remembering something is not enough. #learnchinese #vocabulary #srs #flashcards Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: When spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-spaced-repetition-fails-and-what-to-do-about-it/ Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them Chinese listening strategies: Improving…
S1 · E304 · 31 May 2026 · 13 min
304 - How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques that can be used to memorise everything from decks of cards to speeches, but how do you use them to learn Chinese? #learnchinese #mnemonics #memory #vocabulary Link to article: How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/ Remembering is a skill you can learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn Chinese characters, ideograms and words: a beginner's guide:…
S1 · E303 · 24 May 2026 · 9 min
303 - Learn Chinese by playing Chinese chess (象棋, xiàngqí)
Chinese chess, or 象棋 (xiàngqí), is more than a classic strategy game. It’s a fun, practical way into Chinese language and culture. #learnchinese #xiangqi #chinesechess Link to article: Learn Chinese by playing Chinese chess (象棋, xiàngqí): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-by-playing-chinese-chess-xiangqi/ Learn Chinese by playing Mahjong 麻將 (májiàng): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-by-playing-mahjong-%e9%ba%bb%e5%b0%87-majiang/ Pieces and how they move (in Chinese): https://www.zh.xiangqi.com/pieces-and-moves 10 ways of using games to learn and teach Chinese:…
S1 · E302 · 17 May 2026 · 18 min
302 - The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026
Podcasts let you create your own Chinese immersion experience, with level-appropriate stories and authentic conversations. Learn flexibly on the go with the best podcasts for beginners, intermediate and advanced students! #learnchinese #podcasts #listening #beginner #intermediate #advanced Link to article: The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/ Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/ Learning…
S1 · E301 · 11 May 2026 · 12 min
301 - Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning
Measuring your Chinese progress is a double-edged sword: it can keep you motivated, but it can also tempt you to chase numbers that don’t reflect real progress. #learnchinese #progress #motivation #measure #benchmark Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword/ Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated: https://www.hackingchinese.com/benchmarking-progress How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau:…
S1 · E300 · 4 May 2026 · 17 min
300 - Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea
Learning Mandarin pronunciation is not easy, so some people try to use English words to learn or teach the sounds. This is a really bad idea. #learnchinese #pronunciation #english #sounds Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-idea Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ Learning to hear the sounds and tones in…
S1 · E299 · 27 Apr 2026 · 16 min
299 - How to not memorise Chinese characters: The anatomy of bad mnemonics
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques that help you remember everything from PIN codes to Chinese characters. Good mnemonics make learning easier, but bad ones can distract you or even hold you back. #learnchinese #characters #hanzi #mnemonics #memory #vocabulary Link to article on Hacking Chinese: How to not memorise Chinese characters: The anatomy of bad mnemonics: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-memorise-chinese-characters-the-anatomy-of-bad-mnemonics/ Remembering is a skill you can learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/remembering-is-a-skill-you-can-learn The building blocks…
S1 · E298 · 20 Apr 2026 · 15 min
298 - The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats
The best time to start learning Chinese might be behind you, but the second-best time is now. If you’ve been surrounded by Mandarin for years and keep putting off learning the language, this guide is for you! #learnchinese #expat #china #bubble #immersion Link to article on Hacking Chinese: The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-time-to-start-learning-chinese-is-now-a-guide-for-expats/ You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad Learning…
S1 · E297 · 13 Apr 2026 · 14 min
297 - Improve your Chinese conversations by listening to the listener
The obvious way to learn Mandarin is to listen to a person speaking the language. The less obvious way is to listen to the person who isn’t speaking in a conversation. What can you learn by listening to the listener? #learnchinese #listening #conversations #responses Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Improve your Chinese conversations by listening to the listener: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-to-the-listener/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 5: Becoming a better listener as a student of Chinese:…
S1 · E295 · 6 Apr 2026 · 12 min
296 - Chinese is fascinating and exciting, not weird and stupid
When learning a foreign language, some things might appear weird or even stupid. But does a negative attitude towards Chinese make it harder to learn? And if it does, how can you adopt a more positive approach? #learnchinese #attitude #motivation #stupid Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese is fascinating and exciting, not weird and stupid: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-is-fascinating-and-exciting-not-weird-and-stupid/ How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation…
S1 · E295 · 30 Mar 2026 · 13 min
295 - Which Chinese language course should you take?
The answer to the question of which Chinese language course you should choose is that it depends. But what does it depend on, and how do you make the right decision about which course to take? #learnchinese #course #class #learning Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Which Chinese language course should you take? https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-chinese-language-course-should-you-take/ Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning Using Chinese textbooks to improve reading ability:…
S1 · E294 · 23 Mar 2026 · 19 min
294 - The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners
Listening is the most important skill of all, because it accelerates all other learning and is crucial for social integration. What are the best free Chinese listening resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners? Link to article: ⁠⁠The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠⁠ : ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/⁠⁠ #learnchinese #listening #resources #beginner #intermediate #advanced 7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese…

About Hacking Chinese Podcast

Hacking Chinese Podcast is a English learning podcast from Olle Linge. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Olle Linge
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1536284827
Rights: Olle Linge

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