Kah Joon Liow

Seven Free Online Resources for Learning Chinese Faster

Are you learning Chinese? Chances are, you've already searched the internet for information that'll help you learn Chinese. And what do you find? Lots of sites offering free information on learning Chinese. I did an online search recently and realiz... Read >

Learn Chinese Pronunciation: the 80/20 Guide, Part 1

"I want to learn Chinese but just give me the basics!" That's what this Chinese pronunciation guide is all about. It's all that you need to know about the pinyin system of Chinese pronunciation to get by. The 80% that's important. (Spend 20% of tim... Read >

Learn Chinese Pronunciation: the 80/20 Guide, Part 2

"I want to learn Chinese but just give me the basics!" That's what this Chinese pronunciation guide is all about. It's all that you need to know about the pinyin system of Chinese pronunciation to get by. The 80% that's important. (Spend 20% of tim... Read >

Where is the Chinese alphabet?

(Also called: The Case of the Missing Chinese Alphabet) Does the Chinese language have an alphabet? If so, where is it? Why don't I see it? Each month thousands of people search for the "Chinese alphabet" on the internet. To answer the above... Read >

How is learning Chinese writing different from learning a Western language?

In the modern Chinese writing system, each character is a form of its own, representing a particular sound and at least one meaning. In other words, each Chinese symbol is a unity of form, sound and meaning. To learn Chinese writing, you need to ... Read >

6 Ways of Creating Chinese Characters

Did you know there are only 6 ways of forming Chinese characters? Yes, 6 kinds of Chinese characters make up the 50,000 Chinese characters in existence today. Amazing isn't it? It shows that there is a logical symbol system used to create Chinese... Read >

80/20 Guide to Chinese Pronunciation -- Part 1

"Just give me the basics!" That's what this Chinese pronunciation guide is all about. It's all that you need to know Chinese pronunciation to get by. The 80% that's important. To speak Mandarin, the first thing to learn is Chinese pronunciati... Read >

80/20 Guide to Chinese Pronunciation -- Part 2

To continue with Chinese pronunciation... 1. Consonants There are 24 consonants in pinyin which are pronounced a lot like in English. b, p, m, f, d, t, n, l, g, k, ng, h, j, q, x, zh, ch, sh, r, z, c, s, y, w Chinese pronunc... Read >

Why does Chinese New Year fall on a different date each year?

I'm sure you've noticed that Chinese New Year falls on adifferent day each year.Here's a list of Chinese New Year dates from theyear 2000 to 2014 at http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-dates.htmlWhy is this so?I asked myself the same qu... Read >

8 Chinese New Year Food Symbols for Happiness, Prosperity and Health

"Lucky" Chinese New Year symbols are an important part of celebrating the Spring Festival. Afterall, it is the start of spring -- a perfect time to have your New Year wishes come true! And what better way to usher in happiness, prosperity and hea... Read >

8 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year

What are the Chinese New Year activities for celebratingthis most important festival in the Chinese calendar?Let's start at the beginning...In China, Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival.That's because the first day of Chinese New Year falls ont... Read >