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Beginner guides
A few practical explanations before you jump into the cards. Read them in any order.
Pinyin: a map for pronunciation
Pinyin writes Mandarin sounds with Roman letters. It is a reading aid, not a replacement for listening or for Chinese characters.
Read guide →Mandarin tones: notice the shape
Tone marks are part of pinyin: they guide the pitch contour of a syllable. Practice hearing and producing them within whole words and sentences.
Read guide →A small, repeatable study habit
A short cycle of noticing, recalling and revisiting can make the starter set less intimidating.
Read guide →Already comfortable? Browse the curriculum or open the study app.