Make Chinese
part of your everyday.
Learn everyday Mandarin with simplified characters and pinyin.
Start your first lesson
你好Say exactly what you mean.
Short lessons for the moments a word-for-word translation misses.
How to say almost there in chinese
Learn to say "almost there" in Mandarin Chinese with 快到了 and related phrases. This practical lesson covers arrival, progress, and asking for updates.
Listen & practice Elementary · 5 minHow to say go now in chinese
Learn to say 'go now' in Mandarin with 现在走 and 走吧. Understand when to use each, how to ask if it's time to leave, and practice with a natural dialogue.
Listen & practice Elementary · 7 minMandarin travel phrases with audio and printable practice
Learn five practical Mandarin phrases for your first day in a Chinese-speaking city: greet, ask directions, confirm transport, ask a price, and request repetition. Includes pinyin, dialogue, and printable practice.
Listen & practicePractice beyond the lesson map.
0 of 616 lessons practiced · saved on this browser
Your learning path
Follow the order, or jump into something you need today.
170 lessons shown
First Sounds and Greetings
10 lessons- 1
Hello and Goodbye
Learn to greet and farewell people in Mandarin and Cantonese by time of day and formality, from casual 嗨 to polite 您好 and Cantonese 早晨.
- 2
Introduce Yourself
Learn to introduce yourself in Mandarin: say your name, where you are from, and ask the other person. Includes the reusable 你...吗？ question pattern with pinyin and tone marks.
- 3
Basic Vowel Sounds
Learn the five basic Chinese vowel sounds and use them in 现在 (now), 真的 (really), and the homophones 他/她/它. Includes pronunciation, dialogue, and practice.
- 4
Responding to Greetings
Learn to answer common Chinese greetings with short, natural replies and follow-up questions. Master patterns like 我很好，谢谢，你呢？ and 还好，你呢？ to sound fluent and polite.
- 5
Using Excuse Me
Hear 借过, 不好意思 and 请问 in Mandarin. Learn phrases for passing someone or asking a question, with pronunciation, recordings and a conversation to practise.
- 6
Asking Yes/No Questions
Learn to turn statements into simple yes/no questions in Mandarin using 吗 (ma), and answer them naturally with 是 (shì) or 不 (bù).
- 7
Counting 1 to 10
Master Mandarin numbers one through ten and use them to count fingers, books, and other items. Includes pinyin, tone marks, and measure word basics.
- 8
Responding to Apologies
Learn to accept an apology gracefully in Mandarin with 没关系, 没事, 不要紧, and 好的，没问题. Includes pinyin, tone marks, and a natural dialogue.
- 9
Basic Consonant Sounds
Learn to hear and say Mandarin's tricky consonant pairs ch/q, j/zh, x/sh, and use 不 and 没 correctly. Includes minimal pairs, a dialogue, and practice.
- 10
Asking How to Pronounce a Word
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.
First Bites: Essential Food Basics
10 lessons- 11
Name Common Foods
Learn 10 common food words in Mandarin Chinese and use them in two simple sentence patterns: 我吃 (I eat) and 我喜欢 (I like). Includes pinyin, tone marks, and a short dialogue.
- 12
Express Basic Tastes
Learn to say if food is sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or spicy in Mandarin Chinese using 'This is ___' and 'It tastes ___'. Describe inherent qualities, not personal preferences, with beginner-friendly examples.
- 13
State Food Preferences
Learn the Mandarin pattern 我喜欢 / 我不喜欢 to talk about food preferences, with common foods, a short dialogue, and practice distinguishing personal liking from describing how something tastes.
- 14
Order at a Cafe
Learn to order a drink in Mandarin Chinese, specify size or options, and ask the price politely with culturally appropriate phrases and a realistic café dialogue.
- 15
Ask for the Bill
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to end a restaurant meal: ask for the bill, ask whether card payment is accepted, and understand common replies about payment methods.
- 16
Identify Meal Times
Learn the Mandarin names for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack, and how to say when you eat each meal using time words and the particle 吃 (chī).
- 17
Say What You Eat for Breakfast
Learn to ask 你吃饭了吗 and answer with 我早饭吃/喝 + food. Master breakfast vocabulary and the greeting's literal meaning.
- 18
Ask Someone Their Favorite Food
Learn to ask 'What is your favorite food?' in Mandarin Chinese and answer with common foods. Focus on asking others, not just stating your own preferences.
- 19
Express Hunger and Thirst
Learn to express hunger and thirst in Mandarin, ask others about their states, and distinguish these from ordering food or drinks.
- 20
Name Common Drinks
Learn six common Chinese beverage words—water, coffee, tea, juice, milk, soda—and the pattern 我喝 (wǒ hē) to say what you drink. Includes pinyin, tones, and a short dialogue.
Getting Around: Basic Transport
10 lessons- 21
Buying a Single Ticket
Learn beginner Mandarin for buying a single one-way local transport ticket: ask for one ticket to the city center, say where you are going, and pay. Return tickets are covered in the next lesson.
- 22
Buying a Return Ticket
Learn to ask for and buy a round-trip ticket in Mandarin, including return date and time. Build on single-ticket phrases with 往返 (wǎngfǎn) and specify when you want to come back.
- 23
Asking the Price of a Ticket
Learn to ask 'How much is a ticket to...?' in Mandarin with 多少钱 and 到, understand price answers in yuan and kuai, and ask politely without buying anything yet.
- 24
Asking About Departure Time
Learn to ask what time the next bus or train departs in Mandarin Chinese, and understand simple schedule responses. Focus on departure time, not arrival time.
- 25
Asking About Arrival Time
Learn to ask what time a bus or train arrives in Mandarin, using 几点 and 到. Practice a short dialogue and avoid common mistakes.
- 26
Finding the Platform
Learn to ask 'Which platform for the train to...?' in Mandarin. Master the pattern 去...的火车在几号站台? and understand platform numbers at Chinese train stations.
- 27
Asking for the Next Stop
Learn to ask "What's the next stop?" in Mandarin and understand stop names on buses and trains. Includes key phrases, a dialogue, and practice.
- 28
Asking to Be Notified of Your Stop
Learn to ask a Chinese bus or taxi driver to tell you when to get off, using 到站请告诉我一下 and 到了叫我一声, and understand the driver's short confirmations.
- 29
Buying a Metro Ticket
Learn to buy a metro ticket in Mandarin Chinese. Practice asking for a ticket, understanding zones and fares, and completing a simple purchase.
- 30
Asking for a Taxi
Learn beginner Mandarin to request a taxi by phone or at a stand: say where you are going, ask for the arrival time, and confirm the car. Simplified Chinese, pinyin and clear English explanations.
Foundations of Social Interaction
10 lessons- 31
Greeting Friends Casually
Learn relaxed Mandarin greetings like 嗨, 最近怎么样？, and 早 to use with friends and peers at different times of day. Includes pinyin and tone tips.
- 32
Introducing Yourself Socially
Learn to say your name, where you are from, and one interest in friendly, everyday Mandarin using 我叫, 我是, 来自, and 喜欢.
- 33
Asking Basic Personal Questions
Learn to ask and answer five common personal questions in Mandarin: where someone is from, their age, job, nationality, and zodiac sign, with polite patterns and a natural dialogue.
- 34
Responding to 'How Are You?'
Learn beginner Mandarin ways to answer 你好吗？ with more than 我很好, including 挺好的, 还行, and 有点累, and how to ask 你呢？ back in casual conversation.
- 35
Saying Goodbye in Social Settings
Learn relaxed Mandarin farewells for leaving a gathering politely, including 再见, 回头见, 下次见, 我先走了 and 有空再聊, with pinyin and tone marks.
- 36
Expressing Thanks Casually
Learn informal Mandarin thanks for small favors among friends, including 谢啦, 多谢, and 麻烦你了, with pinyin, tone marks, and usage notes.
- 37
Apologizing to Friends
Learn casual Mandarin apologies for small mistakes: 对不起我来晚了, 我错了, 不好意思, 没事, 没关系. Use brief, friendly phrases to apologize and accept apologies in everyday situations.
- 38
Giving Compliments to Peers
Learn to give sincere, specific compliments about clothes, skills, and possessions in Mandarin, and how to accept them naturally instead of denying them.
- 39
Inviting a Friend to Hang Out
Learn to ask someone out in Mandarin with low-pressure phrases like 约你出去 and 请你吃饭. Includes a natural dialogue and practice.
- 40
Accepting and Declining Invitations
Learn to accept enthusiastically with 'Hǎo ya, hěn hǎowán!' and decline politely with 'Wǒ bùxíng, dàn xièxie!' in casual Mandarin. Perfect for friendly invites, not formal RSVPs.
First Encounters: Polite Basics
10 lessons- 41
Formal vs. Informal Greetings
Learn when to use formal and informal Mandarin greetings. Compare 您好 and 嗨, see how time-of-day greetings work, and choose the right opening for work, strangers, friends and casual settings.
- 42
Introducing Yourself: Name and Basic Info
Learn to state your name and basic information politely in Mandarin Chinese. This beginner lesson covers formal and informal ways to introduce yourself and respond when someone introduces themselves.
- 43
Asking Someone's Name Politely
Learn to ask for a name in Mandarin Chinese using 你叫什么名字, 您贵姓, and related patterns. Understand when to use each and practice with a dialogue.
- 44
Saying Please and Thank You
Learn to thank someone, make a polite request and say you’re welcome in Mandarin. Includes recordings, pronunciation hints and a short practice dialogue.
- 45
Apologizing for Simple Mistakes
Learn the three most common Mandarin apologies for minor slip-ups like bumping into someone or being late. Master formal and informal registers, natural responses, and polite questions for staff.
- 46
Using 'Excuse Me' to Get Attention
Listen to 劳驾, 不好意思 and 请问 for getting attention in Mandarin. Follow the recorded question and reply, then practise a polite interruption aloud.
- 47
Polite and Casual Requests
Learn how to make requests in Mandarin that fit the relationship, using 帮, 麻烦, 能不能, and 可以 to sound natural with friends and appropriately polite with strangers.
- 48
Responding to Thanks
Learn to reply to 谢谢 with 不客气, 不用谢, and 没事. Understand when each fits, from casual to formal, and practice with a short dialogue.
- 49
Saying Goodbye: Formal and Informal
Hear 再见, 拜拜 and other Mandarin goodbye phrases. Practise saying you are leaving and understanding a farewell, with pronunciation and a short dialogue.
- 50
Small Talk About the Weather
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to open a short, polite chat about the weather, respond naturally, and end the exchange gracefully without going into deep topics.
Building Simple Sentences
10 lessons- 51
Subject-Verb-Object Order
Learn to build basic Chinese declarative sentences using the subject-verb-object order. Practice with common verbs and objects, and understand how statements differ from questions.
- 52
Using This, That, These, Those
Learn to point out people and things near and far in Mandarin using zhè (this) and nà (that), with the measure word nà ge and the possessive de. Beginner level, simplified Chinese with pinyin.
- 53
Plural Nouns Basics
Learn how Mandarin marks plural nouns using measure words, numbers, and context instead of adding -s or -es. Practice with common nouns and avoid common errors.
- 54
There Is / There Are
Learn to state that something exists or is present in Mandarin using 有 (yǒu), with place words, measure words and everyday examples such as 'There is a park near my house.'
- 55
Have and Has for Possession
Learn to express possession with 有 and its negation 没有. Use 我有, 你有, 他有, and 我没有 to talk about what you and others have or lack. Includes question forms and polite alternatives.
- 56
Question Words: Who, What, Where
Learn to ask who, what, and where questions in Mandarin using 谁 (shéi), 什么 (shénme), and 哪儿 (nǎr) with simple verbs. Form wh-questions without changing word order.
- 57
Short Answers: Yes, I Do
Learn to answer yes/no questions in Mandarin with short replies like 是, 有, 会, and 不, instead of repeating the full sentence. Includes pinyin, dialogue, and common mistakes.
- 58
Adjective Word Order
Learn the usual Mandarin order for stacking adjectives before a noun, from opinion and size to age and color, and see how 的 marks the boundary between description and noun.
- 59
Prepositions of Time: In, On, At
Learn how Mandarin marks clock times, days of the week, and months and dates. See why one word 在 covers English in, on, and at, and how time words come before the verb.
- 60
Possessive 's and Of
Master the Chinese particle 的 (de) to express possession and association, equivalent to English 's and 'of. Learn to say 'Maria's bag' and 'the end of the film' in Mandarin.
Everyday Eating: Simple Requests and Choices
10 lessons- 61
Request a Specific Food Item
Learn to ask for any food or drink in Mandarin using 我要 (wǒ yào) and 我可以要...吗？ (wǒ kěyǐ yào... ma?). Practice with coffee, tea, apples, and water in everyday situations.
- 62
Ask for More Food
Learn to say 'More ___, please' and 'Can I have another ___?' in Mandarin Chinese. This lesson teaches the key patterns 再要 and 再来 to request additional servings politely.
- 63
Decline Food Politely
Learn to decline food offers in Mandarin with polite phrases like 不用了，谢谢 (bú yòng le, xièxie) and 我吃饱了 (wǒ chī bǎo le), and tell them apart from simply saying you dislike a food.
- 64
Ask About Ingredients
Learn beginner Mandarin questions for asking what is inside a dish or whether it contains a common ingredient, with pinyin, tone marks, and simple food vocabulary.
- 65
Express Simple Dietary Needs
Learn the Mandarin pattern 我不吃 (wǒ bù chī) to state personal food restrictions for meat, dairy, and nuts, plus how to politely check whether a dish contains an ingredient.
- 66
Choose Between Two Options
Learn to decide between two foods in Mandarin using 我要 (wǒ yào) 'I'll have' and 我更喜欢 (wǒ gèng xǐhuan) 'I prefer', with clear examples and a short dialogue.
- 67
Ask for a Recommendation
Learn to ask 'What do you recommend?' and 'What's good here?' in Mandarin. This lesson focuses on seeking advice, not ordering, with key phrases, a dialogue, and practice.
- 68
Describe a Simple Dish
Learn to describe food's overall qualities in Mandarin Chinese using adjectives like hot, cold, fresh, and delicious. Build simple sentences with 很 and 不, and use them in real conversations.
- 69
Ask for Utensils
Learn to ask for dining utensils in Mandarin using the polite pattern 可以给我...吗? (Kěyǐ gěi wǒ... ma?). Master five common items and handle restaurant interactions with confidence.
- 70
Say Something Is Missing
Learn to tell staff an item is missing from your order using 我没拿到我的 ___ (Wǒ méi ná dào wǒ de ___), with polite alternatives and a short dialogue.
Accommodation Basics
10 lessons- 71
Booking a Hotel Room
Learn to reserve a hotel room in Mandarin Chinese. Master the key phrase '我想订一个房间，住两晚' and understand common room types like 单人间, 双人间, and 标准间.
- 72
Asking About Room Availability
Learn to ask 'Do you have any rooms available?' in Mandarin, understand common yes/no answers, and check room availability without making a booking.
- 73
Asking for the Room Key
Learn to request your room key at a hotel check-in in Mandarin Chinese. Practice 'Can I have the key to room 205?' and understand key card instructions.
- 74
Asking About Check-Out Time
Learn to ask 'What time is check-out?' in Mandarin, understand hotel check-out policies, and use time expressions to confirm deadlines politely.
- 75
Asking for Extra Towels
Learn beginner Mandarin for asking housekeeping for extra towels, understanding the reply, and requesting other room amenities politely. Includes pinyin, tones, and a hotel dialogue.
- 76
Reporting a Problem in the Room
Learn to say what's broken in your room, ask for repairs, and understand repair timelines in Mandarin Chinese.
- 77
Asking About Breakfast Included
Learn to ask if breakfast is included at a hotel in Mandarin Chinese. Practice key phrases, understand meal times and options, and handle common responses with confidence.
- 78
Asking for a Wake-Up Call
Learn to request a hotel wake-up call in Mandarin Chinese, say the exact time, and confirm the request. This is not about setting an alarm on your phone.
- 79
Asking to Store Luggage
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases for asking if you can store your bags before check-in or after check-out, and how to ask about pickup times.
- 80
Extending Your Stay
Learn to ask for one extra night in Mandarin, check whether a room is free, and understand the difference between extending a stay and making a new booking.
Everyday Social Conversations
10 lessons- 81
Talking About Hobbies
Learn to say what you're into and how often you do it in Mandarin, using 喜欢, 迷上, and 花时间. Ask follow-up questions to keep a conversation going.
- 82
Sharing Weekend Plans
Learn to talk about your upcoming weekend in Mandarin: say 'I'm going hiking' or 'I'm just relaxing at home' using future forms 要 and 会. Focus on your own schedule, not inviting others.
- 83
Discussing Favorite Music
Learn to say 'I love pop' or 'I'm a big fan of jazz' in Mandarin, and compare music tastes with friends using simple patterns.
- 84
Talking About Favorite Foods
Learn to express food likes and dislikes in Mandarin, such as 'I can't live without pasta' or 'I'm not a fan of spicy food,' and discuss dining out preferences.
- 85
Describing Your Family
Learn to say who is in your family in Mandarin Chinese. Use possessive adjectives like 我的 (wǒ de) to talk about sisters, brothers, and parents, and say where they live.
- 86
Asking About a Friend's Family
Learn to ask a Mandarin speaker whether they have siblings and what their parents do, using 有 (yǒu) questions, 吗 (ma), and 做什么 (zuò shénme), while showing genuine interest.
- 87
Talking About Pets
Learn to say you have a pet, name it, and describe yourself as a dog or cat person in Mandarin. Practice a natural conversation about pets.
- 88
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
Learn to express general likes and dislikes in Mandarin using 喜欢 and 不喜欢, with reasons using 因为. Build simple sentences about food, drinks, activities, and more.
- 89
Talking About Daily Routine
Learn to say when you wake up, go to work, and do daily activities in Mandarin. Use time expressions with present simple to describe regular routines, not weekend plans.
- 90
Discussing Weather as Small Talk
Learn to start casual chats about weather in Mandarin: ask 'Nice day, isn't it?' or say 'It's freezing today!', agree, and extend the conversation naturally.
Everyday Politeness: Requests and Responses
10 lessons- 91
Asking for Help Politely
Learn to ask for assistance in Mandarin Chinese, from requesting directions from a stranger to asking a favor from a friend. Master polite forms like 请问 and 麻烦你, and use appropriate tone for different situations.
- 92
Offering Help Appropriately
Learn to offer help in Mandarin Chinese using formal and informal phrases like 我能帮你吗？ and 需要帮忙吗？, and how to respond politely when your offer is declined.
- 93
Making Suggestions Politely
Learn to suggest activities in Mandarin using 怎么样 and 好不好, and respond politely to others' ideas. Soften suggestions to avoid sounding pushy.
- 94
Accepting and Declining Invitations
Learn beginner Mandarin ways to accept or decline invitations politely, with formal and informal options and phrases that soften a refusal.
- 95
Extending Invitations
Learn to invite friends, colleagues, or acquaintances to events in Mandarin. Master formal and informal invitation phrases, handle tentative responses, and avoid common mistakes.
- 96
Giving Compliments
Learn to give sincere, culturally appropriate compliments in Mandarin Chinese on appearance, work, and possessions. Includes key phrases, patterns, and etiquette tips for beginners.
- 97
Receiving Compliments
Learn beginner-friendly Chinese replies to compliments, including 哪里哪里 and 谢谢, with register variations and a natural dialogue.
- 98
Apologizing for Being Late
Learn to apologize for lateness in Mandarin Chinese with polite phrases for friends, coworkers, and formal situations, plus simple ways to explain the delay and offer a remedy.
- 99
Expressing Gratitude Beyond 'Thank You'
Learn Mandarin phrases to express heartfelt gratitude beyond a simple thank you, including how to say you appreciate someone's time, with patterns, register tips, and a practical dialogue.
- 100
Polite Disagreement
Learn to disagree politely in Mandarin using phrases like 我明白你的意思，但是... and 我不太确定我同意. Maintain harmony in conversations.
Everyday Interactions
10 lessons- 101
Asking About Someone's Day
Learn to ask how someone's day is going and respond with simple details in Mandarin. This lesson focuses on social follow-up questions, not information-seeking wh-questions.
- 102
Showing You Are Listening
Learn short Mandarin backchannel phrases like 嗯, 是吗, and 真的吗 to show attention while someone speaks, and see how they differ from giving answers.
- 103
Telling Time and Schedules
Learn to say clock times in Mandarin and use 在, 从, and 到 to talk about when classes, work, and events start and end.
- 104
Expressing Preference: Would Rather
Learn to express choices between options in Mandarin using 宁可 (nìngkě) and 喜欢...还是... (xǐhuan...háishì...), focusing on preference rather than simple likes and dislikes.
- 105
Asking Permission: May I?
Learn to ask for permission politely in Mandarin Chinese using 可以 and 能不能, with window-opening, sitting, photo-taking and early-leaving examples, pinyin and tone marks.
- 106
Accepting and Declining Help
Learn to respond politely when someone offers you help in Mandarin. Practice key phrases to accept or decline, with pinyin and tone marks.
- 107
Understanding Directions
Learn to understand spoken directions in Mandarin: turn left, turn right, go straight, and cross the road. Includes key phrases, a practical dialogue, and practice for beginners.
- 108
Describing Temperature
Learn to talk about temperature in Mandarin: say hot, cold, warm, and cool, and add degree words like 'a little' or 'very' to describe weather precisely.
- 109
Asking About Feelings
Learn to ask 'Are you okay?' and respond empathetically in Mandarin. Focus on asking about others' feelings, not just stating your own.
- 110
Making Excuses to Leave
Learn to politely excuse yourself in Mandarin Chinese with phrases like 'I have an early meeting tomorrow.' This beginner lesson teaches reasons and polite forms to end conversations gracefully.
Shopping and Storing: Basic Groceries
10 lessons- 111
Name Common Groceries
Beginner Mandarin lesson for building a shopping list: learn five everyday food words and the pattern 我要买 (wǒ yào mǎi) to say what you need to buy.
- 112
Ask Where an Item Is in the Store
Learn to ask 'Where can I find ___?' in a Chinese grocery store using 在哪儿 and 在哪里, with polite openers, aisle vocabulary, and follow-up questions.
- 113
Ask for a Quantity
Learn to express quantities like 'a kilo of', 'a liter of', and 'half a dozen' in Mandarin Chinese. This beginner lesson focuses on measure words and amount phrases for shopping and daily use.
- 114
Understand the Price
Learn to ask the price of a single item in Mandarin with 多少钱 and 这个, understand the answer, and use measure words correctly when pointing at things you want to buy.
- 115
Pay at the Market
Learn to ask prices, pay with cash or card, and check your change at a Chinese market stall using beginner-friendly Mandarin phrases.
- 116
Ask for a Sample
Learn to say “Can I try ___?” in Mandarin so you can taste food at a market before deciding to buy. Practice polite requests, vendor replies, and the key difference between trying and buying.
- 117
Compare Two Items
Learn to compare items while shopping in Mandarin using 这个 (zhège) with adjectives like 便宜 (piányi), 大 (dà), and 新鲜 (xīnxiān). Build phrases to point out qualities and make better choices at markets or stores.
- 118
Ask About Freshness
Learn beginner Mandarin questions to check freshness: 新鲜吗? and 什么时候摘的? with pinyin, tone notes, and polite market usage.
- 119
Request a Bag
Learn to ask for a bag or box at a Chinese store using 'Can I have a bag?' and related phrases. Focus on packaging requests, not utensils.
- 120
Say You Are Just Looking
Learn to say "I'm just looking, thanks" in Mandarin when a shop assistant offers help. Use 我只是看看，谢谢 (Wǒ zhǐshì kànkan, xièxie) to browse without assistance.
Navigating the City
10 lessons- 121
Asking for Directions
Learn to ask where the station is in Mandarin, understand left, right and straight ahead, and politely ask someone to repeat directions using clear, beginner-level Chinese.
- 122
Asking If It Is Far
Learn to ask about distance in Mandarin Chinese using 远 (yuǎn) and 近 (jìn), and understand time estimates like '10 minutes on foot'. Includes pinyin, tone marks, and a practical dialogue.
- 123
Asking for Landmarks
Learn to ask what landmark is near a station in Mandarin and understand the answer. This lesson focuses on orientation landmarks, not route directions, using 附近, 地标, 在, and 有.
- 124
Asking Which Bus to Take
Ask which bus goes to a destination in Mandarin. Practice 'Which bus goes to the beach?' and understand bus numbers with clear examples and a dialogue.
- 125
Asking About Walking Distance
Learn to ask if a place is walkable in Mandarin Chinese. Practice 'Can I walk there?' and understand walking time. Complements distance inquiries.
- 126
Asking for a Map
Learn to ask for a map at a tourist office in Mandarin Chinese, understand the reply, and read basic map directions. Includes key phrases, a sample dialogue, and practice.
- 127
Asking How to Get to the Airport
Learn to ask 'What's the best way to the airport?' in Mandarin, understand answers about trains, buses and taxis, and use the key pattern 怎么去 plus 坐.
- 128
Asking for the Nearest Metro Station
Learn to ask 最近的地铁站在哪里？ and understand simple walking directions in Mandarin, including 一直走, 左转, 右转, and 过马路.
- 129
Asking If There Is a Shuttle
Learn to ask if a hotel or airport has a shuttle, find out where it leaves from, and understand its schedule using beginner-friendly Mandarin patterns.
- 130
Asking for a Taxi Stand
Learn to ask 'Where can I find a taxi?' in Mandarin Chinese. Master the key phrase 出租车 (chūzūchē) and the pattern 在哪儿 (zài nǎr) to ask for locations politely.
Building Social Connections
10 lessons- 131
Making Plans with Friends
Learn to invite someone in Mandarin, suggest a time, accept or politely decline, and agree on a plan. Includes key phrases, a model dialogue, and practice.
- 132
Suggesting Activities
Learn to suggest activities in Mandarin using 吧 (ba) and 怎么样 (zěnme yàng). Say 'Let's watch a movie' or 'How about a walk?' naturally.
- 133
Agreeing on Arrangements
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to confirm or adjust plans during a negotiation, using 可以, 行, 没问题 and 好的, with pinyin and tone marks.
- 134
Politely Declining Plans
Learn to decline a proposed plan in Mandarin with 不好意思, 去不了, and 下次吧. Offer alternatives like 改天 or 换个时间. Beginner-friendly phrases with pinyin and tone marks.
- 135
Rescheduling a Meetup
Learn to apologize and reschedule in Mandarin when something comes up, using phrases like 改到星期天好吗？ and 对不起，我有事。
- 136
Asking for a Favor
Learn to politely ask for favors and borrow items in Mandarin Chinese. Master key phrases like 能帮我个忙吗？ and 能借我笔记吗？ with tone-perfect pronunciation and cultural tips.
- 137
Offering Help to a Friend
Learn to offer help in Mandarin with phrases like 需要帮忙吗 and 我可以帮你, and respond to offers politely. Master the difference between offering help and asking for a favor.
- 138
Sharing Good News
Learn to announce exciting personal news in Mandarin Chinese, like getting a job or moving, and respond with enthusiasm. Perfect for beginners to share achievements with friends.
- 139
Responding to Good News
Learn to respond positively in Mandarin with 太好了 and 恭喜, then ask follow-up questions like 什么时候 and 怎么样 to show you are listening.
- 140
Showing Sympathy
Learn to comfort someone in Mandarin with phrases like 'I'm sorry to hear that' and 'That's tough,' and offer support. Perfect for responding to bad news.
Social Niceties: Dining and Visiting
10 lessons- 141
Basic Table Manners Phrases
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases for polite requests and friendly comments at the table, including qǐng màn yòng and qǐng bǎ yán dì gěi wǒ.
- 142
Being a Guest: Complimenting the Host
Learn beginner-friendly Mandarin phrases to compliment your host's food and hospitality, including 'This is delicious' and 'Thank you for having me,' with pronunciation and usage tips.
- 143
Hosting Guests: Welcoming and Offering
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to welcome guests into your home and politely offer them food or drinks, including 请进, 随便坐 and 你想喝点什么.
- 144
Toasting and Celebrations
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases for short toasts and good-luck wishes, including 干杯, 祝你成功, and 祝你好运, with register tips and a natural dialogue.
- 145
Excusing Yourself from the Table
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases for politely excusing yourself during a meal or thanking your host at the end, with pinyin, tone marks and usage notes.
- 146
Complimenting Someone's Home
Learn to sincerely compliment a host's home in Mandarin Chinese with phrases like 'Your home is lovely.' Focus on warm, non-intrusive compliments that show appreciation without overstepping.
- 147
Bringing a Gift: Phrases for Giving
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to present a gift to a host politely, including 'This is for you' and 'I hope you like it.'
- 148
Receiving a Gift Politely
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases for receiving a gift with gratitude, including polite ways to say 'You shouldn't have' and 'Thank you so much,' with pinyin, tone marks, and usage notes.
- 149
Saying Goodbye After a Visit
Learn Mandarin phrases to say when leaving a friend's or host's home, including thanks for hosting and suggestions to meet again. Beginner level, simplified Chinese with pinyin.
- 150
Small Talk at Parties
Learn to greet, chat about weather, food, and interests, and exit politely in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and tone marks.
Parcel pickup without the confusion
2 lessons- 501
Reading a Parcel Locker SMS in Chinese
Learn to parse a typical Chinese parcel locker SMS: tell 取件码 from 运单号, find the locker and gate, read digits aloud, and confirm the pickup window with staff.
- 502
Asking Staff to Find Your Parcel by Phone Number
Learn polite beginner Chinese to ask courier station staff to look up your parcel using your phone number and its last four digits, then confirm it is yours.
The neighborhood print and repair strip
2 lessons- 511
Requesting Double-Sided Short-Edge Binding in Chinese
Learn Mandarin terms and sentence patterns to ask for double-sided printing with short-edge flip, choose glue binding or saddle stitch, and confirm page order at a mainland print shop.
- 512
Asking for a Life-Size Pattern Print in Chinese
Learn to ask a Chinese print shop for a life-size pattern print: say 原尺寸, 按1:1打印, 不要缩放, and check the result before paying.
A very specific breakfast order
2 lessons- 521
Ordering Jianbing with Crisp Layer on the Side
Learn to order 煎饼果子 at a street stall in Mandarin: ask for 薄脆 on the side, add an egg, skip scallions, and request extra sauce with simple, reusable patterns.
- 522
Asking for Sweet or Unsweetened Doujiang
Learn to ask for 甜 (sweet) or 不甜 (unsweetened) soy milk in Mandarin, using 要甜的 and 不加糖, with a natural breakfast-stall dialogue.
Market ingredients for one dish
2 lessons- 531
Asking for Tofu Firmness at the Market
Learn to ask for 老豆腐, 嫩豆腐, or 内酯豆腐 at a wet market, and say what you're cooking. Master 要老的 and 做汤用 in casual Mandarin.
- 532
Specifying Noodle Width for a Dish
Learn to order the right noodle width at a Chinese market stall. Use 要宽的, 要细的, and 适合炒 to get wide, thin, or knife-cut noodles for your dish.
A shared bicycle that will not cooperate
2 lessons- 541
Reporting a Bike Latch Stuck After Unlock Sound
Learn beginner Mandarin to report a shared-bike latch that beeps but won't release: say 锁开了但车把卡住, use 锁扣, 打不开, 已经响了, and ask 怎么办 in the app.
- 542
Describing a Slipping Bike Seat
Learn to say your shared bike seat slips down, won't stay fixed, and needs tightening. Ask for a wrench and get back on the road.
Finding the right entrance
2 lessons- 551
Directing a Food Delivery to the Side Gate
Learn to guide a delivery driver to your compound's side gate in Mandarin using 侧门, 从…进来, and 到了打电话, with polite phone-ready sentence patterns.
- 552
Explaining That the Venue Entrance Is Upstairs
Learn to tell someone the entrance is upstairs in Mandarin with phrases like 入口在楼上, 上楼梯后右转, and 不是这个门. Perfect for meeting at a small music venue with a street-level door.
Joining a badminton group
2 lessons- 561
Understanding Doubles Rotation in Badminton
Learn beginner Mandarin phrases to discuss doubles rotation, switching positions, and serving when you join a casual badminton group in a Chinese community center.
- 562
Borrowing a Spare Racket and Checking Grip Size
Learn to ask for a spare badminton racket in Mandarin, check grip size and grip tape, and respond politely when borrowing at a sports club.
A small creative meetup
2 lessons- 571
Describing Ink Bleed in Urban Sketching
Learn Mandarin phrases to talk about ink bleed, paper absorbency, and controlling water while sketching with a fountain pen. Beginner-friendly, for urban sketching meetups in China.
- 572
Learning Mahjong Socially Without Gambling
Learn to join a Chinese mahjong meetup and make clear you're playing for fun, not money. Master 打麻将, 不赌钱, and 规则 with friendly, natural beginner phrases.
Tea-shop sensory conversations
2 lessons- 581
Describing Astringency vs. Bitterness in Tea
Learn to say 涩 (astringent), 苦 (bitter) and 回甘 (sweet aftertaste) in Mandarin, then ask polite questions in a Chinese tea shop.
- 582
Asking About Warming the Cup Before Tea
Learn to say 温杯 (warm the cup), 烫一下 (rinse with hot water), and 为什么要 (why) so you can respectfully ask a tea master about warming cups during gongfu tea service.
Secondhand hobby gear and craft materials
2 lessons- 591
Describing Camera Lens Haze When Buying Used
Learn to say 镜片雾化 (lens haze), 划痕 (scratches), and 影响成像 (affects image) when checking a secondhand lens. Ask the seller clear, cautious questions.
- 592
Checking a Used Keyboard for Stuck Keys
Learn Mandarin phrases to test a secondhand mechanical keyboard, ask about stuck keys, and describe the feel. Beginner-friendly with practical sentence patterns.