Is GraphChinese good? Who it suits and who it does not
GraphChinese is a self-study Mandarin course built on a knowledge graph of 829 topics, from your first tone to HSK 6. It suits adults who want a clear order and a reason for every next step. It is a poor fit if you want a live tutor, a store app or offline lessons.
How it teaches
- A topic stays locked until its prerequisites are proven. You are never handed grammar that rests on words you have not learned.
- Every lesson is active recall. You produce answers instead of reading explanations.
- Reviews are scheduled with FSRS spaced repetition, so they arrive just before you forget.
- Speaking starts in lesson one with a small set of comments and questions you can use on a real person.
Who it suits
Self-studiers aiming at the HSK or at real conversations, from absolute beginners through HSK 6. You can start from zero or take the placement test and begin at your level.
Who should pick something else
If you want scheduled lessons with a teacher, you need a tutor; this does not replace one. There is no App Store app (see how it works on a phone) and no offline mode.
Price and refund
$49 once for lifetime access, with a refund by email if it is not for you. Details on the pricing page. How it stacks up against other apps is on the comparison hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is GraphChinese good for beginners?
Yes. It starts from zero: the first lesson is the four tones, then tracing 你 and 好 in stroke order. It also keeps going to HSK 6, so you do not change tools at HSK 4.
Is GraphChinese worth $49?
It is one payment for the whole course, with a refund by email if it does not suit you. Try the demo and placement test first; they are free.
Is GraphChinese a subscription?
No. It is a single payment for lifetime access.
Who is GraphChinese not for?
People who want a live tutor, a native phone app, or offline lessons. It is a self-study web app.
Who made GraphChinese?
Carson Mulligan, who studied at Middlebury, ICLP Taipei and Peking University (Yenching Scholar). The method is inspired by Math Academy.
Try the demo, then decide. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level