The complete HSK 3.0 Level 4 word list — 1000 essential Chinese words with pinyin, definitions, 10 grammar patterns, 48 example sentences…
The complete HSK 3.0 Level 4 word list — 1000 essential Chinese words with pinyin, definitions, 10 grammar patterns, 48 example sentences…
HSK 4 graded reader with audio, grammar notes and a quiz. One day while having breakfast with my host family in China,…
HSK 4 graded reader with audio, grammar notes and a quiz. There are 56 ethnic groups in China. Aside from the Han,…
HSK 4 graded reader with audio, grammar notes and a quiz. The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox,…
Learn how to pass the HSK 4 with a step-by-step study plan. Covers the exam structure, vocabulary tips, flashcard strategies, and HSK…
The complete HSK 3.0 Band 1 grammar syllabus — 48 essential grammar points organized by category, each with pattern breakdowns and example…
The complete HSK 3.0 Level 3 word list: 500 new words (1,000 in total) with pinyin and definitions, plus example sentences, grammar…
The complete HSK 3.0 Level 2 word list: 200 new words (500 in total) with pinyin and definitions, plus example sentences, grammar…
The complete HSK 3.0 Level 1 word list — 300 essential Chinese words with pinyin, definitions, 10 grammar patterns, 48 example sentences…
Free interactive flashcards for HSK 1–3 vocabulary. Flip through 1,000 words with tone-colored pinyin, English translations, and part of speech — organized…
Practice real Chinese sentences with this interactive HSK flashcard tool from CLI. Browse HSK 1-4 sentence decks, flip cards to reveal pinyin…
Students from 400+ Institutions Have Called Guilin Home — CLI 因材 施教 来自世界各地的学生汇聚桂林 四海为家 The Chinese Language Institute Students from400+ InstitutionsHave Called…
The HSK is China's official Mandarin proficiency test, and in 2026 the system is transitioning from six levels to nine. This guide…
In 2026, the HSK is in transition: the nine-level framework is official, but HSK 1–6 remains active and many schools still use…
The HSK 6 is the highest level in the series of Chinese proficiency tests known as the 汉语水平考试 (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì). Notoriously…
If you’ve ever taken a Chinese class, you’ve probably already heard of the HSK. But what is the HSK, exactly? In this…
In English, "pig" is an insult before it's an animal. In Chinese it means your household has more than it needs —…
The next Year of the Rat runs from 11 February 2032 to 30 January 2033 — but the Rat is the most…
Each year, the CLI Community Fellowship gives one student a funded year of intensive Chinese immersion in Guilin. In return, the Fellow…
Paste any Chinese text to see its estimated HSK level, a word list with pinyin and definitions, and a readability score. Free,…
How long does it really take to learn Chinese? This beginner-friendly guide explains realistic timelines for speaking, HSK progress, and long-term fluency,…
The 2 Sigma Problem shows one-on-one tutoring can outperform classrooms. See how immersion plus personalized instruction speeds up Mandarin fluency.
Have you heard of Yoyo Chinese, a popular online platform for learning Mandarin? Established in 2012 by native Chinese speaker and expert…
Invited to a Chinese-language job interview? This guide walks you through the five most common interview questions, with ready-to-use Mandarin phrases, essential…
分级资源fēnjí zīyuán Chinese learning resources, level by level Most learners have too many apps. Here are the few we recommend, and what…
Do I need a passport and visa to study in China? Can I earn university credit that will count toward my degree?…
Discover the world of Chinese language, tradition and modern society while improving your Chinese skills along the way. We welcome you to…
Using podcasts is an incredibly versatile way to improve your Chinese level. Not only will you improve your listening skills, but you…
If you are studying Chinese or planning to and wondering how many characters you need to learn, here are some numbers that…
Discover the best Chinese textbooks for every Mandarin learning goal, from HSK exam prep and beginner courses to business Chinese, graded readers,…
The FSI says Chinese takes 2,200 hours — but that number describes diplomats studying full-time, not your situation. Here's what the research…
Skritter is a fresh, inventive way to master Chinese characters. If you’re not a current user, take the following steps to get…
新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè) is the most common way to say Happy New Year in Chinese. Learn 26 greetings for the Year of…
谢谢 (xièxie) is the most common way to say thank you in Chinese. Learn 23 ways to thank someone, from casual to…
The 100 Most Common Chinese Characters By the teachers of the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) in Guilin, China. Updated September 28, 2026.…
Free Chinese Course Six short Mandarin lessons for complete beginners, from your first tone to reading your first stories in Chinese. You…
Spring Term in Guilin: 12 Weeks to 5 Months of Chinese in China | CLI Skip to Spring Term details Spring Term…
Set along the Li River among limestone peaks, Guilin is a friendly, affordable city where Chinese becomes part of your day. Discover…
CLI was founded in Guilin, China in 2009 by two American brothers. Now in 2026, we remain as focused on our core…
Set along the Li River among limestone peaks, Guilin is a friendly, affordable city where Chinese becomes part of your day. Discover…
Refer students to our one-on-one Mandarin program in Guilin. We look after them from application to arrival, keep you posted, and pay…
Learning Chinese in China can accelerate progress by connecting structured lessons with daily conversations, errands, travel, and real-world problem-solving. Discover how immersion…
What makes a Chinese language school the best choice for serious learners? This guide examines CLI’s one-to-one teaching, three-teacher model, Guilin immersion…
Ninchanese and Yocha offer two different but complementary ways to strengthen your Chinese. Ninchanese uses gamified lessons and review to build vocabulary…
Starting a Chinese immersion program soon? This 30-day plan covers what to study before you go, the documents and payments to sort…
Chinese assessment is about more than test scores. This guide explains how feedback, HSK preparation, placement, self-assessment, and real-world practice can help…
Spaced repetition can help Chinese learners remember vocabulary, characters, tones, pinyin, and grammar more efficiently. This guide explains how SRS works, how…
No single tool covers everything you need to learn Chinese. This guide catalogs 100+ apps, platforms, and resources across 17 categories —…
Choosing between Mainland China and Taiwan for learning Chinese comes down to practical fit. This guide compares characters, cost, visas, immersion, program…
Most "best city to learn Chinese" guides focus on nightlife and food. This one compares six cities on the factors that actually…
Business Chinese is more than workplace vocabulary. This guide covers the key phrases and etiquette for real professional situations, so beginners can…
Look up any Chinese character to see its radical, stroke count and related characters, or browse all 214 Kangxi radicals. Free, no…
Looking for a realistic Chinese study plan? This beginner-friendly guide explains what to learn first, how to structure your weekly study time,…
Should you learn Chinese through private lessons or a group class? For beginners, the answer usually comes down to speaking time, pronunciation…
Think you're too old to learn Chinese? The largest study on age and language learning — 670,000 participants — tells a very…
Spend nine months or a full year learning Chinese in China through CLI’s intensive Mandarin Immersion Program in Guilin. The program includes…
You’ve heard of pinyin, but have you heard of its Taiwanese cousin, Bopomofo? Discover all there is to know about this alternative…
Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers on Earth, while English leads in total speakers. Discover the world's top 10 most spoken…
Location is no longer an obstacle to learning Mandarin. Here's how an online Chinese teacher fits into a busy schedule, what your…
Flashcards are one of the best study tools for language students and there are many different options available. As you spend more…
Learn how to say “yes” in Chinese naturally with 10 common Mandarin responses, including 是, 对, 好, 可以, 没问题, and more, with…
Simplified characters are the official script of mainland China, and they're also taught in Singapore and Malaysia. We explain why China simplified…
Learn how to use Chinese measure words correctly, from the essential 个 and 块 to 100+ classifiers organized by category, with examples,…
Learning Chinese on Zoom makes it possible to study one-on-one with a qualified teacher from anywhere in the world. In this guide,…
Chinese Internet slang changes fast, but learning common terms like yyds, xswl, 内卷, 躺平, and 破防了 can help you understand Mandarin social…
China offers foreigners career paths ranging from teaching English to roles in tech, finance, and trade, with the Z visa as the…
In this July 2021 installment of CLI Perspectives, Immersion Program student Isabel Floyd takes us on an educational journey from the skyscrapers…
Wondering whether to learn Mandarin or Cantonese? Compare their tones, romanization systems, writing, and number of speakers — and find out which…
Chinese characters can look like random symbols, but they're built using six distinct formation methods known as 六书 (liùshū). Pictograms make up…
From your first steps of planning to full immersion in China, CLI is dedicated to providing personalized care at every stage. Whether…
CLI’s online Chinese lessons bring the classroom directly to you, allowing you the flexibility to achieve full Chinese proficiency while seamlessly continuing…
Learn how to teach English in China legally, choose the right school and city, understand the visa process, and prepare for daily…
Putonghua (普通话), or Standard Mandarin, is mainland China's official language. Discover how it evolved from Ming and Qing court dialects into the…
The Immersion Program is CLI’s core language learning track. With fully customizable short and long-term academic terms, 20 weekly hours of one-on-one…
Choosing a study abroad program in China is about more than prestige. This guide explains the main program types, from university and…
The Year of the Dog is the 11th animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Learn which birth years belong to the Dog,…
Many people are often fascinated and attracted by Chinese characters. At first glance, characters may look like bizarre pictograms, randomly drawn at…
China is home to around 300 living languages. Explore the 10 main varieties of Chinese, the dialect-vs-language debate, and China's many minority…
The idea that Chinese is impossibly hard is a myth—its grammar is often simpler than English. This beginner's guide breaks down nine…
More than 100,000 Chinese characters have existed across history, yet only a few thousand are used today. Here's how many characters there…
Thinking about learning Chinese? It's worth knowing a few things first: what "Mandarin" actually means, why tones and pinyin matter early, and…
Chinese idioms, or chengyu (成语), pack entire stories into four characters. Discover 28 of the most common Chinese idioms with pinyin, English…
Mandarin has more native speakers than any other language, but that's not the best reason to learn it. Here are seven reasons…
Although ideal, it’s not always possible to learn Chinese in China. While complete Chinese immersion is the best way to go, it’s…
Anyone who has searched “learn Mandarin” on YouTube might agree that the sheer number of results is overwhelming. We have good news…
Ever wondered what to gift your Chinese friends on special occasions? Whether it is for Chinese New Year, birthdays, or just a…
What's the difference between traditional and simplified Chinese characters? Explore side-by-side examples, the history behind the split, and which script you should…
If you are starting to learn Chinese, pinyin is one of the first tools you should understand. It shows you how Mandarin…
WeChat Official Accounts are worth your while. We’ve come up with a list of our favorite WeChat official accounts and provided a…
Most Chinese characters aren't random symbols — roughly 80% contain built-in hints about meaning and pronunciation. This guide explains how characters are…
Anki uses spaced repetition to help you retain Chinese vocabulary more efficiently. Learn how to install the app, create flashcards, and find…