STARTING FROM ZERO
Chinese from zero
You are starting Mandarin as an adult, on your own, and most apps feel like they were designed for kids..
Begin where every adult should: the four tones, by ear. Then the official first word list, every word spoken aloud, and a six-line story you can actually read. Free, no signup, ten honest minutes a day.
Your first ten minutes
Not a beginner? Find your band first, then come back for the doors below.
- 1 Meet the four tones properly
Your ear is the foundation. Hear each tone bend and repeat it, and every word after this gets easier to hold.
- 2 Start the Band 1 word list
The official first list from the 2025 syllabus, every word spoken aloud. Learn them by ear and the sounds stick.
- 3 Read your first story
Six short lines, all Band 1 words, with slow and normal audio. Your first whole story in Chinese.
Your very first lines
你好。 Nǐ hǎo. Hello. (Start here. Works everywhere.)
谢谢！ Xièxie! Thanks! (Said constantly, always welcome.)
我听不懂。 Wǒ tīng bù dǒng. I don't understand. (The most useful beginner line there is.)
Here for a different reason?
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