How to Ask for a Word's Pronunciation in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to ask how a Chinese word is pronounced and repeat it back to confirm. Master the key phrase 怎么读 and the verb 念 for checking pronunciation.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you encounter a new Chinese word, you need a reliable way to ask how it is pronounced and then confirm you have it right. This lesson teaches you two essential questions: 这个字怎么读？ (How do you read this character?) and 这个字怎么念？ (How do you pronounce this character?). You will also learn to repeat the pronunciation back for confirmation using 是……吗？ (Is it …?). These phrases focus on learning pronunciation, not on asking someone to repeat something they already said. By the end, you will be able to point to a word, ask for its pronunciation, and check your understanding politely.
By the end, you can…
- ask how a Chinese word is pronounced using 怎么读 or 怎么念.
- repeat a pronunciation back and ask 是……吗？ to confirm it.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个字怎么读？
How do you read this character?
Zhè ge zì zěn me dú?
Use when pointing to a written character. 字 (zì) means 'character'; 怎么 (zěn me) means 'how'; 读 (dú) means 'read'.
这个字怎么念？
How do you pronounce this character?
Zhè ge zì zěn me niàn?
念 (niàn) is often used for reading aloud or pronouncing. It is slightly more colloquial than 读 in this context.
是……吗？
Is it …?
Shì … ma?
A yes/no question pattern. Replace the ellipsis with the pronunciation you want to confirm, e.g., 是 zhè 吗？ (Is it zhè?).
请再说一遍。
Please say it again.
Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.
Use this when you need someone to repeat something they said. It is different from asking how to pronounce a new word.
我读得对吗？
Did I read it correctly?
Wǒ dú de duì ma?
A polite way to ask for feedback after you try to pronounce a word. 对 (duì) means 'correct'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [word] + 怎么 + 读/念？ For example, 这个字怎么读？ (How do you read this character?) or 你的名字怎么念？ (How do you pronounce your name?). To confirm, use 是 + [pronunciation] + 吗？ For instance, if you think 人 is pronounced rén, ask 是 rén 吗？ (Is it rén?). You can also combine: 这个字怎么读？是 rén 吗？ This two-step pattern lets you learn and verify any new word.
When to use it
Use 怎么读 when you see a written character and want to know its pronunciation. Use 怎么念 when you hear a word and want to know how to say it, or when asking about a name. For example, if a friend says a new word, you can ask 怎么念？ (How is it pronounced?). To confirm your own attempt, say 我读得对吗？ (Did I read it correctly?) or repeat the sound with a rising intonation: 人？ rén? This is less formal but common among friends. In formal settings, use the full question 是 rén 吗？
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个字怎么读？
How do you read this character?Zhè ge zì zěn me dú?这个字读 rén。
This character is read rén.Zhè ge zì dú rén.是 rén 吗？
Is it rén?Shì rén ma?对，是 rén。
Yes, it's rén.Duì, shì rén.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese, asking for a pronunciation is straightforward and common. Use 请 (qǐng, please) to soften requests, especially with strangers or elders. When confirming, a simple 是……吗？ is polite. Avoid using 什么 (shén me, what) alone, as it can sound abrupt. If you are unsure, repeating the sound with a questioning tone is acceptable among peers but may seem casual in formal contexts.
One thing to watch for
Using 怎么读 for asking someone to repeat what they just said, e.g., saying 怎么读？ when you didn't hear them.
Try this instead: 怎么读 asks how to pronounce a written word. To ask for repetition, say 请再说一遍 (Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn, Please say it again) or 什么？ (Shén me? What?) with a rising tone. For example, if you didn't catch a word, say 请再说一遍, not 怎么读.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask how to pronounce the character 水 (shuǐ)?
Show a sample answer
这个字怎么读？
This uses the pattern 这个字怎么读？ (How do you read this character?). You could also say 这个字怎么念？ Both are correct.
2You think 谢谢 is pronounced xièxie. How do you confirm?
Show a sample answer
是 xièxie 吗？
This uses 是……吗？ to confirm. You could also say 我读得对吗？ (Did I read it correctly?) for a more general check.
3What is the difference between 怎么读 and 请再说一遍?
Show a sample answer
怎么读 asks how to pronounce a word; 请再说一遍 asks someone to repeat something they said.
怎么读 focuses on learning pronunciation, while 请再说一遍 is for when you didn't hear or understand. They serve different purposes.
To learn a word's pronunciation, ask 这个字怎么读？ or 这个字怎么念？ Then repeat it back with 是……吗？ to confirm. Use 请再说一遍 only when you need someone to repeat what they said.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr