About Me

Hello! I'm the developer behind cnDB, a passionate language learner and software engineer dedicated to making Chinese learning more accessible and effective.

With a background in computer science and a love for the Chinese language, I created cnDB to combine the best of spaced repetition, contextual reading, and AI-powered tools.

Back when I first started out learning Chinese, I also placed a strong emphasis on extensive reading using graded readers, and later on, actual Chinese stories. I did this by manually creating my own flashcards from the texts I read, which was a time-consuming process. This experience inspired me to develop cnDB, aiming to streamline this process for other learners. What once took me hours can now be accomplished in minutes with cnDB's automated tools. Additionally, many features I wish I had back then are included into the app, such as audio generation as well an integrated reader, that knows which words you have learned.

Using these techniques, I was able to reach HSK 5 (250/300) within only one year of intensive study, as well as HSK 6 (225/300) after two years. Despite these achievements, I still dilligently work on improving my skills, by learning new words every day, as well actually using the language in real life situations. I firmly believe that with the right tools and dedication, anyone can achieve fluency in Chinese, and I hope cnDB can be a part of your language learning journey.

Recommended resources I used during my learning journey (not affiliated with cnDB, zkSoftware or myself):

• You can learn Chinese Podcast Podcast discussing the challenges faced by Chinese learners, as well as sharing experiences of advanced learners
• Chinese Grammar Wiki Extensive resource for learning Chinese grammar.
• Mandarin Companion Graded readers adapting popular Western stories for Chinese learners geared towards beginners
• Maomi Chinese Podcast Beginner friendly podcast with transcripts talking about everyday topics and culture.
• Why Chinese Is So Damn Hard Funny essay about the difficulties of learning Chinese.
• Beijing Language and Culture University Press Graded Readers