Module 0

README

How Chinese Works

An engineer's introduction to Mandarin — why it's more like a formal language than you think.

Module 1

The Runtime

Sentence Execution

Word order is everything. Learn the S-T-P-V-O execution model — Chinese sentences as function calls.

Module 2

The Type System

Measure Words

Every noun has a type annotation. Master the classifiers that make Chinese strictly typed.

Module 3

State Management

Aspect Particles

Tense doesn't exist — state does. 了, 过, 着 are your .completed(), .experienced(), .inProgress() flags.

Module 4

Composition

Characters & Radicals

Characters are composed from radicals like objects from interfaces. Decompose, recompose, understand.

Module 5

The Standard Library

Core Vocabulary

The essential imports — HSK 1-3 vocabulary organized by domain, frequency, and composability.

Module 6

Control Flow

Complex Sentences

If/then, although/but, because/so — conditional and compound sentence patterns as control structures.

Module 7

API Reference

Comparative Articles

Deep dives comparing similar words and patterns. The docs you wish every language had.

Module 8

Design Patterns

Chengyu & Idioms

Four-character idioms are reusable design patterns — learn the most common ones and when to deploy them.

Module 9

Tech Chinese

Engineering in Mandarin

The vocabulary and patterns you need to discuss code, architecture, and engineering in Chinese.