Mandarin starter curriculum

This is an editorial beginner sequence, not a statistical ranking of the most common words. Learn a handful, say the example aloud, then try making a new sentence. The app lets you practice recall; this reference remains readable without JavaScript.

Lesson 01 · Terms 1–10

People & first sentences

Introduce people and point to things. Start with a complete thought, not an isolated translation.

Browse lesson →Lesson 02 · Terms 11–20

Questions & simple replies

Ask who, what and where; answer with a short, useful sentence.

Browse lesson →Lesson 03 · Terms 21–30

Choices & possibility

Move from descriptions to what you want, can do or might do.

Browse lesson →Lesson 04 · Terms 31–40

Everyday actions

Connect verbs to a person and an object: who is doing what?

Browse lesson →Lesson 05 · Terms 41–50

Your day

Place an action in time and add people or places you actually know.

Browse lesson →Lesson 06 · Terms 51–60

People, places & essentials

Use familiar nouns to make your earlier verbs more personal.

Browse lesson →Lesson 07 · Terms 61–70

Ask for details

Ask how much or why, then join two thoughts into one reply.

Browse lesson →Lesson 08 · Terms 71–80

How sentences change

Notice small words that reshape time, emphasis and relationships.

Browse lesson →Lesson 09 · Terms 81–90

Place & contrast

Describe where something is, then compare its qualities.

Browse lesson →Lesson 10 · Terms 91–100

Practical exchanges

Put the building blocks together in courteous, everyday replies.

Browse lesson →

New to the sounds? Read the pinyin guide and tone guide first.

100 terms. Ten approachable lessons.