You are a beginner Mandarin speaker who often sees a new character or hears a name and wants to know how to say it. In this workshop, you will practise asking for pronunciation using the phrases from the lesson, confirming what you hear, and responding when the conversation takes an unexpected turn. The goal is to make these questions feel natural so you can use them in real conversations.
Preparation: Choose the right question and plan your confirmation
Before you speak, decide whether you are looking at a written character or asking about a name. If you see a character, use the phrase meaning 'How do you read this character?' If you are asking about a name, use the phrase meaning 'How do you pronounce this character?' which is slightly more colloquial. Have a confirmation question ready, such as the pattern meaning 'Is it …?' where you repeat the sound you think you heard. Also, remember that the phrase meaning 'Please say it again' is for when you did not hear something, not for asking about pronunciation. Practise saying these phrases aloud slowly, focusing on clear tones. This preparation helps you avoid mixing up the two purposes.
Handling the harder turn: When the answer is not what you expected
Sometimes the person will give you a pronunciation that surprises you, or they might ask you to repeat it back. In that moment, stay calm and use your confirmation question. For example, if they say the character is read a certain way, you can ask 'Is it …?' to check. If you still are not sure, you can ask them to say it again using the phrase for 'Please say it again.' But remember, that phrase is for repetition of what they said, not for asking how to pronounce a new word. If they ask you to try, you can attempt it and then ask 'Did I read it correctly?' to get feedback. This keeps the exchange polite and productive.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
这个字怎么读？
How do you read this character?
Zhè ge zì zěn me dú?
这个字怎么念？
How do you pronounce this character?
Zhè ge zì zěn me niàn?
是……吗？
Is it …?
Shì … ma?
请再说一遍。
Please say it again.
Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
这个字怎么读？
How do you read this character?这个字读 rén。
This character is read rén.是 rén 吗？
Is it rén?对，是 rén。
Yes, it's rén.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
At the library: Asking about a character in a book
You are at a library in Taipei, looking at a Chinese book. You see the character 水 (water) and you are not sure how to read it. A librarian named Mei is standing nearby.
Your task: Approach Mei and ask how to read the character. Use the phrase for 'How do you read this character?' Then, when she answers, confirm by repeating the sound she gives you with the question pattern 'Is it …?' Make sure to use the correct phrase for a written character.
Meeting a new colleague: Asking about their name
You are at a language exchange event in Beijing. You meet a new colleague named Zhang Wei. You see his name written on his name tag, but you are not sure how to pronounce it. You want to ask him.
Your task: Ask Zhang Wei how to pronounce his name. Use the phrase for 'How do you pronounce this character?' which is more colloquial and suitable for names. When he tells you, confirm by asking 'Is it …?' using the pronunciation he provided. Then, try to say his name and ask 'Did I read it correctly?' to get feedback.
In a language class: Asking the teacher for clarification
You are in a beginner Mandarin class. The teacher, Laoshi Wang, writes the character 人 on the board. You think you know how to read it, but you want to be sure. You raise your hand.
Your task: Ask Laoshi Wang how to read the character using the phrase for 'How do you read this character?' After she answers, confirm with 'Is it …?' using your guess. Then, say the character aloud and ask 'Did I read it correctly?' to check your pronunciation.
Common questions
What is the difference between the phrase for 'How do you read this character?' and the phrase for 'How do you pronounce this character?'?
The first uses a word meaning 'read' and is used when you see a written character. The second uses a word meaning 'pronounce' or 'read aloud' and is slightly more colloquial; it is often used for names. Both are correct, but choose based on whether you are pointing to a character or asking about a name.
When should I use the phrase for 'Please say it again'?
Use it when you did not hear or understand something someone said and you want them to repeat it. It is not for asking how to pronounce a new word. For pronunciation, use the question patterns or the confirmation pattern.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: asking how to pronounce a wordChecked September 2026
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