Anne Meredith

The 100 Most Common Chinese Characters
The 100 Most Common Chinese Characters

Ever wondered: what are the most common Chinese characters? In a language of approximately 50,000 characters, mastering the most commonly used Chinese…

How Do You Say “Yes” in Chinese?
How Do You Say “Yes” in Chinese?

Learning to say “yes” is usually one of the first things you learn when studying a new language. Unfortunately, you might be…

Chinese Society: A Study in Contrasts
Chinese Society: A Study in Contrasts

Chinese society is often thought of as being somewhat homogenous, but in reality it’s actually quite diverse. From ancient times to the…

What is Putonghua?
What is Putonghua?

Putonghua, also called Standard Mandarin, is mainland China’s official language. As such, it’s also the version of Chinese that most international students…

COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Updates

Due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many students may find their study plans affected. While CLI is currently open…

What Languages are Spoken in China?
What Languages are Spoken in China?

China is a vast country with a long, complicated history, and this complexity is reflected in the stunning level of linguistic diversity…

What is the Chinese currency called?
What is the Chinese currency called?

China has the world’s second largest economy and Chinese money plays an increasingly important role in global financial transactions. That said, there's…

How Do I Say My Name in Chinese?
How Do I Say My Name in Chinese?

When traveling about in China, you’ll need to introduce yourself to those you meet along the way. The vast differences between Chinese…

How Do You Say “No” in Chinese?
How Do You Say “No” in Chinese?

If you’re new to Mandarin, chances are you want to learn some basic Chinese words and phrases. After “hello” and “my name…

China’s Qingming Festival, Explained
China’s Qingming Festival, Explained

Qingming Festival (清明节 or Qīngmíngjié in pīnyīn), also called Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, is an important traditional Chinese holiday.…