EdX

Chinese Idioms: A Thousand Miles (edX)

Offered by MandarinX,
Chinese Idioms: A Thousand Miles (edX)

This course aims to teach Chinese idioms to Chinese language learners, or anyone interested in Chinese culture, while providing a historical background, fun facts, and engaging stories with cultural perspectives.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Idioms, which we call chengyu in Chinese, can be directly translated as “already made words” or “formed words.” They are an essential part of the Chinese language. Woven together over thousands of years and taken from ancient myths, fairy tales, philosophical musings, and poetry, Chinese idioms are a testament to the longevity and continuity of the Chinese language. The purpose of this course is to provide a lens for our audience to learn more about Chinese history and culture through these unique idioms.

What you'll learn
You will be able to learn:

  • Commonly used Chinese idioms with daily use and business applications
  • Basic strokes of how Chinese characters are formed
  • Additional vocabulary words used on a daily basis with a variety of different meanings
  • Sentence patterns for making simple conversations
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Chinese for HSK 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Peking University

Chinese for HSK 1 (Coursera)

Languages & Literature

Nǐ hǎo! 你好！Welcome to Chinese for HSK - a Chinese course for everybody. My name is YU Bin. I am very happy to meet you here! HSK stands for Hànyǔ (Chinese) Shuǐpíng (level) Kǎoshì (test), which is the most important Chinese proficiency test in use today. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using Chinese in their daily, academic and professional lives. Chinese for HSK Level 1 is the first step of the 6 levels and assesses test takers’ abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. It is the counterpart of Level 1 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages and the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Languages China Chinese
Details
Mandarin Chinese Level 1 (edX) EdX
MandarinX

Mandarin Chinese Level 1 (edX)

Languages & Literature

Mandarin Chinese is rapidly becoming one of the top languages to learn, especially for business. Learnbasic language skills for business scenarios in Mandarin-speaking countries. Chinese is, without a doubt, the most spoken language on the planet. Learning Chinese will help your company or organization break into the biggest market on the planet. Being able to properly and correctly introduce yourself in Chinese will help you open the door to a whole new world.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Languages Chinese Chinese Language
Details
Structuring Values in Modern China (Coursera) Coursera
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Structuring Values in Modern China (Coursera)

Humanities History

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Science History China
Details
Géopolitique de la Chine contemporaine (FUN) FUN
Institut Catholique de Paris

Géopolitique de la Chine contemporaine (FUN)

Humanities Social Sciences

Dans bien des domaines, la Chine est déjà la première puissance économique du monde. Son développement mais aussi ses difficultés, en un mot son évolution même engage notre propre avenir. Le marché chinois transforme les circuits commerciaux et industriels, bouleverse les savoirs et les pratiques du monde. Il est donc important, sinon urgent, de connaître l’histoire de cet Etat-continent, la nature de son régime et de ses ambitions en matière de politique étrangère. Ce MOOC est le premier portant sur la géopolitique de la Chine. Il convient à tout public désireux de se former aux affaires chinoises et plus particulièrement aux personnes qui, dans leur domaine professionnel, seront amenées à travailler en rapport avec la Chine.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
China Chinese Culture Geopolitics
Details
An Introduction to Chinese Sign Language and Linguistics (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Shanghai International Studies University - SISU

An Introduction to Chinese Sign Language and Linguistics (FutureLearn)

Languages & Literature

Get to grips with Chinese sign language (CSL), sign language linguistics and deaf culture. Learn the basics of Chinese sign language and sign language linguistics. This comprehensive four-week course from the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) provides you with basic knowledge of Chinese sign language (CSL), sign language linguistics, as well as Chinese deaf culture and deaf education.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Languages Chinese Linguistics
Details
Sino-Japanese Interactions Through Rare Books (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Keio University

Sino-Japanese Interactions Through Rare Books (FutureLearn)

Humanities Languages & Literature

Learn about the role of books in the relationship between the cultures of Japan and China, with this free online course. Books have played a major role in the formation of Japan’s culture, particularly those brought from China. On this course we’ll examine how big an impact these books have had, as well as looking at how books and religion are connected in Japan and East Asia, and the history of publishing in Japan.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
China Book Japan
Details
Chinese Language in Culture: Level 2 (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Chinese Language in Culture: Level 2 (edX)

Languages & Literature

Learn both cultural competence and language proficiency for successful participation in Mandarin-speaking societies. This subject is the second of a series that forms an introduction to modern standard Chinese, commonly called Mandarin, the language with the largest number of native speakers in the world. Course objectives are to master Mandarin pronunciation, including the recognition and writing of Pinyin romanization, basic reading and writing skills, and to develop the ability to participate in simple, practical conversations on everyday topics.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Chinese Chinese Language Mandarin
Details
Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People (edX) EdX
Tsinghua University,TsinghuaX

Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People (edX)

Languages & Literature

Beginners' Chinese course from China's top university. This introductory Chinese language course will emphasize basic language skills for everyday life in Mandarin speaking countries. The course utilizes pinyin, the standard system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese, so learners will find it easy to understand and study the language.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Chinese Chinese Language Mandarin
Details
Mandarin Chinese for Business (edX) EdX
MandarinX

Mandarin Chinese for Business (edX)

Management & Leadership Languages & Literature

Learn common Mandarin Chinese business phrases and understand Chinese culture so you can communicate professionally in the largest market in the world. Take the next step in learning Mandarin Chinese and expand your language skills so you can effectively communicate in Chinese business. In this language training course, you will learn common phrases and scenarios of business and negotiation in Chinese speaking countries. You will also learn about Chinese business culture and etiquette and the needs of businessmen and women.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Business Languages Chinese
Details
Chino básico: Cómo dar una primera impresión positiva (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Chino básico: Cómo dar una primera impresión positiva (Coursera)

Languages & Literature

Este es el primer curso del Programa Especializado Chino básico para hispanohablantes: lenguaje y cultura empresarial. Este curso sirve como una introducción al idioma chino. En este curso, los aprendices se familiarizarán con los conceptos más básicos del idioma, como el alfabeto Pinyin, los números, los saludos, cómo presentarse, las palabras y frases comunes, conversaciones cotidianas sobre la familia y los gustos, e información cultural acerca de los temas mencionados.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Chinese Chinese Language Pinyin Alphabet
Details