Start here

1. 1What is Pinyin?
2. 2How Pinyin Works
3. 3The Four Tones
4. Why 你好 sounds like ní hǎo

Initials

Beginning sounds of a Pinyin syllable.

1. b / p / m / f
2. d / t / n / l
3. g / k / h
4. j / q / x
5. zh / ch / sh / r
6. z / c / s
7. y / w

Finals

The rest of a Pinyin syllable.

1. Simple finals — a o e i u ü
2. Compound finals — ai ei ui ao ou iu
3. Compound finals — ie üe, plus er
4. Front nasal finals — an en in un ün
5. Back nasal finals — ang eng ing ong

In real speech

How tones change once syllables meet.

1. How 一 (yī) and 不 (bù) change their tone
2. The neutral tone

Start here

Six notes, in the order you will actually use them.

1. 1How to Say Hello in Chinese
2. 2How to Say Thank You and Sorry
3. 3How to Introduce Yourself
4. 4How to Ask Someone’s Name
5. 5How to Say ‘I Am a Student’
6. 6How to Say ‘I’m Learning Chinese’

When the basics feel solid

Six things that make your Mandarin sound natural.

1. 1How 一 (yī) and 不 (bù) Change Their Tone
2. 2The Neutral Tone
3. 3不 vs 没: Two Ways to Say ‘Not’
4. 4二 vs 两: Two Ways to Say ‘Two’
5. 5有点儿 vs 一点儿: Where ‘A Bit’ Goes
6. 6还是 vs 或者: Two Ways to Say ‘Or’