Character flashcards
Study the recognition characters for every HSK level with pinyin, native-quality audio and stroke-order animations. No login needed.
For HSK 4 and Beyond
Your decoder for everything Chinese
Chinese learning for adults who've outgrown the textbooks. Currently decoding the new HSK 3.0, taking effect July 2026.
Receive HSK vocabulary breakdowns, exam strategy, study notes, and cultural insights straight to your inbox.
What you'll find here
Everything built on the official 2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus — accurate, and free to start.
HSK courses
Structured exam-prep courses for HSK 3.0, level by level — vocabulary, grammar, speaking and test format.
Decoded explainers
Deep dives on HSK, language acquisition, and decoding modern Chinese.
Why Mandarin Decoded
An Educational Linguist's Approach to Chinese Learning
Mandarin Decoded is created by Yvonne Qiu, a native Chinese speaker with a Master's degree in Educational Linguistics and over 15 years of experience teaching, designing curriculum, and developing educational content. Mandarin Decoded is built for serious learners who want to grow beyond HSK 4.
Yvonne Qiu
