Introduction to Chinese (Pre-HSK 1)
A short and easy introduction to the Chinese language in 12 lessons. All dialogs are authentic and are taken from the TV Drama "Go Ahead".
Watch all 12 free videos on Z2H
- 12 lessons
- 99 vocabulary cards
Chinese Zero to Hero practice app
Watch your Zero to Hero lesson, then practice the same grammar and vocabulary with pronunciation feedback, stroke-order writing, and spaced repetition, built for Z2H students who want interactive review after the lectures.
New to Z2H? The Introduction to Chinese (Pre-HSK 1) includes 12 free video lessons. A short and easy introduction to the Chinese language in 12 lessons. All dialogs are authentic and are taken from the TV Drama "Go Ahead".
Independent app, not made or endorsed by Chinese Zero to Hero or Language Player. Sponsored links may earn us a Z2H affiliate referral.
The four-step loop Z2H students use
Videos explain the pattern. Hidden Dragon makes you use it, the same workflow built into Dragon Lesson overviews.
Watch the lesson
Study grammar and vocabulary on Chinese Zero to Hero, the structured video course you already trust.
Come back to practice
Open the matching Dragon Lesson or shared book chapter. Each lesson can surface the Z2H video for that unit before you drill.
Produce, not just recall
Speak, write, and hear feedback on tones and strokes. SRS schedules reviews right before you forget.
Immerse in real clips
Optionally open Language Player from a card to hear the phrase in real media clips after you drill it.
Hear it in real videos with Language Player
After you drill a phrase in Hidden Dragon, open the same sentence in Language Player. Search a word or phrase and jump to clips where natives say it in context. Many learners use it as a fun follow-up after flashcard practice.
Try it free (no account)
On the Chinese Zero to Hero site, the first 12 video lessons of their intro course are free to watch. Hidden Dragon mirrors those chapters as a shared word book you can play in your browser, with no Hidden Dragon account required.
After the video: Quizlet, Anki, or Hidden Dragon
Z2H teaches in video lessons. The bundled Quizlet and Anki decks are where most students memorize cards afterward. Hidden Dragon is another way to handle that review, with speaking, writing, and links back to the lecture you just watched.
| Capability | Quizlet / Anki decks | Hidden Dragon |
|---|---|---|
| Learn new grammar (video lessons) | Z2H courses | Deep-links to Z2H videos |
| Spaced repetition scheduling | Anki / Quizlet decks | Built-in SRS |
| Pronunciation feedback | Not in static decks | Speech scoring + tone drills |
| Character writing (stroke order) | Recognition only | Graded handwriting |
| Grammar pattern practice | Sentence cards | Interactive grammar + Z2H links |
| Phonetics course in context | Separate study | Lesson opens when you miss a tone |
Features that pair with Z2H study
- 1,300+ grammar patterns with interactive drills and links to matching Z2H lessons.
- Phonetics with Chinese Characteristics: fail a tone in practice and the right Z2H lecture is one tap away.
- Dragon Lessons for HSK-aligned books show the chapter video on the overview step before you drill.
- One tap from any flashcard into Language Player phrase search: find your sentence in real TV and video clips (see above).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to practice Chinese Zero to Hero?
Chinese Zero to Hero teaches grammar and vocabulary through video lessons. Hidden Dragon is an independent practice companion: spaced repetition, pronunciation feedback, stroke-order writing, and grammar drills that link to Z2H lessons where we have mapped them. Many learners watch a Z2H lesson, then practice the same patterns here.
Are there conversation lessons built around HSK patterns?
Yes. Open Scenarios from your dashboard and pick HSK Grammar. You choose a grammar pattern by HSK level, then practice it in a short scripted conversation, with a link to the matching Zero to Hero video when we have one mapped. Free accounts include selected Pre-HSK grammar scripts; Pro adds grammar practice across HSK 1–6 plus the rest of the scenario library.
How does Hidden Dragon fit with Quizlet or Anki for Z2H study?
Chinese Zero to Hero is video-first: the courses teach you new grammar and vocabulary in the lectures. For drilling, many students use the Quizlet or Anki decks that come with those courses. Hidden Dragon does not replace Z2H itself; it is an optional practice app for that review step, with SRS, pronunciation feedback, stroke-order writing, and links back to the matching Z2H lesson when you need a refresher.
Can I try Hidden Dragon without signing up?
Yes. On Chinese Zero to Hero's site, the first 12 videos in their intro course are free (A short and easy introduction to the Chinese language in 12 lessons. All dialogs are authentic and are taken from the TV Drama "Go Ahead".). Hidden Dragon's shared book mirrors those same lessons and runs free in your browser at /decks/zh/introduction-to-chinese (memory games, tone trainer, and more). Create a free Hidden Dragon account when you want cloud sync, Dragon Lessons with embedded video links, and the full textbook library.
What is Hidden Dragon's relationship with Chinese Zero to Hero?
Hidden Dragon is an independent practice companion for Chinese Zero to Hero. When you purchase a Z2H course through our affiliate links, we may earn a referral commission. We only recommend products we use and trust.
How does Hidden Dragon connect to Language Player?
Language Player lets you search a word or phrase and see it in real Chinese media clips. After you drill a card in Hidden Dragon, you can open the same phrase in Language Player in one tap.