Nciku is awesome!

If you are a technology-aware Chinese learner, then you definitely already know about nciku, the awesome online dictionary that has emerged as the de facto champion for online Chinese-English translation.

nciku polo – 50rmb

Show some love for your favorite web apps

Finally those geniuses have put their so-familiar-it-might-as-well-be-my-homepage logo on some sweet merch to let your Google-Translate-using friends what’s really up.

nciku coffee mugs – 9rmb

Everything is such a bargain! Now if only they will put their cool iphone app on the android, we would be all set. (Hint, hint nciku: port your iphone app to android please!)

http://nciku.taobao.com/

Zhongwen gets easier

Learning Chinese is not always easy. It helps when you like your tools. And this neat little book is perfect for helping you get your learn on. I wish I had this one when I started learning back at ECNU in Shanghai. But I’m glad I have it now anyways. 

This one is custom made for studying new words. It comes with little plastic cards that blocks the answer, so you can test yourself. Sections are divided by color to help texturize and contextualize your vocab.

This notebook has a delightful Korean design and makes a very cute little package. It makes a great gift for anyone who is learning language. And who do you know who isn’t learning either Chinese or English? Buy a handful and hang onto them for your next unexpected birthday party. 

A Chinese vocabulary notebook – 34rmb

If you learned Chinese the same way I did, the Practical Chinese Reader has had a big impact on your psyche. The adventures of Palanka and Gubo will forever be fondly remembered. Like that time they… uhh.. went to the … uhh.. to the park. Okay their adventures were not so memorable. But they captured that familiar language-textbook aesthetic with basic line drawings and completely pedestrian scenarios.  

Chinese students had a similar book which inspires the same kind of nostalgia. Their characters were called Lilei 系列 and Hanmeimei 韩美美. I think they are cousins of Palanka and Gubo, because they look exactly alike. Some artists have taken their memories of these two and turned it into a complete nostalgia box set.  

You can capture the magic too, on Taobao

This sweet sticker book is probably the best choice. It has been retrofitted with all the hottest Internet phrases.

Sticker book – 28rmb

Notebooks are also a great choice. A great way to keep your new hanzi straight.

Sweet Notebooks – 45rmb

You can also show off your language-learning buddies with this shirt. Guaranteed to make you as happy as this girl is. 

Han Meimei T-shirt – 199rmb

Well, they aren’t Palanka and Gubo, but they are pretty damn close.

In fact, your Chinese friends might already be aware of Monopoly. You can find Monopoly game boards all over China for very low prices. Here is a cheap Chinese-language Monopoly board for just 14rmb. Playing in Chinese should not be too difficult, since you are probably already well familiar with the rules. It may even provide you with a great chance to learn some new Chinese words.

But the Chinese location names do feel a little bland in the Chinese edition.  So you may also want to consider this rad Nintendo-themed Monopoly board, which is a nice upgrade at only 22rmb. (Update: I can’t find it now! But there are a ton of other Monopoly variations to be found here.)(Second update – found it! Thanks to commenter uHeaven)

At the very least, you should pick yourself up a deck of UNO cards. Chinese people should already be familiar with UNO and it is a great alternative to the super-boring 80-fen card games which seem to be the Chinese default. Or try this exciting UNO / Jenga mashup for less than 40rmb.

If you are serious about getting your UNO skills in order, you will want 400g-weight cards. That’s what all the pros use. And if you show up at a tournament with some tiny little 300g cards, you are gonna get seriously clowned. So don’t even step with that lightweight stuff. Check this guy out for the real skinny on fat UNO decks.

No reason not to buy a couple to stash around the house for a quiet little Friday night at home with friends, or to use as an emergency birthday gift. Now, can anybody find some reasonable dominos on Taobao? You know, the good ones. With the ball bearings.

Dominos - 多米诺

Fun little training games are one of the DS’s strong suits, and a game called My Chinese Coach was released a few months ago. It is not a full-featured learning course, but has a handful of good interactive exercises that will be useful for helping beginner- and intermediate-level students remember words and tones. 

If you get some momentum with this training thing, you can also train your brain, your eyes (probably my favorite), and facial expressions.

There are currently two models out on the market (not counting the old ugly one). The DS pictured here, and a brand new DSi released in Japan which has some added features like a camera. 

If you are new on the DS scene, it is my recommendation to pick up the standard DS and not the DSi. It usually takes about two years for the game developers to figure out cool stuff to do with the new features (see the facial expressions link above for an example of what they are doing so far). With the standard DS, you already have a lengthy back catalog of great games to explore. And you’ll save a bit of money. 

The one linked here has all the accessories you need, including the R4 card, a 7-day unconditional exchange and a one year repair warranty. 

A Nintendo DS - 1120rmb

Pleco is the best Chinese-learning thing ever

If you are learning Chinese, you absolutely need to get the Pleco software dictionary.  It has a great interface which lets you find words fast and save them for flashcard study later.

They just released the Pleco 2.0 recently, which offers some neat features. But I think the best deal right now is the Palm version Pleco 1.0, which you can get for as little as $40 USD. But you’ll need a machine to run it.

The Palm Treo 650 – the model which I have happily used for 3 years, is a steal on Taobao today. You can pick one up for about 700rmb. Even if you already have a phone, this is probably the most useful Chinese-learning tool available.

Treos are sweet little machines, but they do break. Suggest getting from this guy, who has a 48-hour test and return policy and a 7-day exchange policy.

The Treo 650 at 660rmb

The Treo 650 in matte black (shown here) at 700rmb

The Treo 680 at 890rmb

Consider adding one of these sweet little battery chargers to keep around the office. And extra styli are a must.