Language
Characters, tones, idioms, and the fascinating complexity of the Chinese language
5 articles
The History of Chinese Characters: From Oracle Bones to Emojis
How scratches on turtle shells became the world's longest continuously used writing system.
Chinese Idioms in Daily Life: Stories Behind Common Sayings
Every Chinese idiom hides a story — some tragic, some hilarious. Here are the ones people actually use.
Learning Chinese: An Honest Guide for Complete Beginners
Tones, characters, and grammar — what's actually hard, what's surprisingly easy, and how to start.
The Chinese Language: Why It Is Both Impossible and Beautiful
No alphabet. No conjugation. No tenses. Four tones that change meaning completely.
The Chinese Language: Why It Is Both Harder and Easier Than You Think
No conjugation. No tenses. No articles. No plurals. Chinese grammar is shockingly simple. Chinese characters are shockingly complex.