No matter how long you've been learning Chinese, you’ll still have an accent. But why is that? In this episode, Jared and John talk about your accent in Chinese and how to reduce it. They discuss the differences in how accents are perceived in China versus the West, tackle some of the toughest pronunciation challenges like pinyin pitfalls, tone swaps, and the elusive Mandarin "R" sound, and share insights on what it really takes to sound more native.

Whether you’re a beginner struggling with pinyin, an intermediate learner trying to nail your tones, or an advanced student aiming for clarity over perfection, this episode will help you level up your pronunciation and be understood with confidence.

Links from the episode:

Chinese Pronunciation Wiki | Free pronunciation guide
Pronunciation Packs (scroll down) | AllSet Learning
Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills | Sinosplice
The 3-2 Tone Swap Error | Sinosplice
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Your Chinese Accent Is Terrible, But It Doesn’t Have to Be 30:39 Share

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Your Chinese Accent Is Terrible, But It Doesn’t Have to Be