Mandarin Meadow
A little Mandarin, every day.

Help & FAQ 常见问题

Practising Mandarin

How do Listen, Record, Play mine and Compare work?

Listen plays the example. You can skip listening and record straight away. Tap Record, say the item, then tap Stop. A successful recording completes that item’s task. Play mine plays your voice; Compare plays the model, then your voice.

“Recorded” means you practised; it is not a pronunciation score. Listen for tones, rhythm and light syllables. You can record again. Try a few items at a time and take a break when needed.

Where do my recordings and completed tasks go?

Voice clips stay in this browser tab. Reloading, closing the tab or leaving the website clears them. Opening this help page keeps your clips available. Completed tasks remain saved even when a voice clip is gone, so Play mine and Compare become available after a new recording.

Learners have separate progress. Use the learner’s progress backup or sign-in sync to carry supported learning progress between devices. Voice clips are not included in backups or sync.

How can I read a longer text?

Use the Listen button beside each part. Pause or stop with the audio controls, then continue when ready. Pinyin + English and Useful expressions provide optional support. Short texts have one Listen button.

How do character animations and tracing work?

Flip a character card to see the writing controls. Replay shows the strokes; Trace lets you try them. The lesson’s writing focus identifies which characters to practise first. Printable pages are available in Practice.

Choosing a course & reviewing

How do I choose a starting point?

Each course page lists what to know before starting and what you will practise. Choose by what you can understand and do in Mandarin. Later literature and social themes are intended for teenagers and adults ready for extended reading and discussion; language support remains available.

How do the cumulative reviews work?

Open Review & connect on a course page, or use the extra review in the Review tab after each study block. Earlier vocabulary, sentence patterns and readings return in short recall questions, followed by a written response. First choices and retries remain saved. The written reflection is self-reviewed, with room for different supported answers.

Can I spread a long reading over several days?

Yes. Open Goals & study plan for reading sessions linked to each part. Read one part in a sitting, then connect the parts and complete the reading tasks when ready. The short Course 7 bridge readings have optional longer versions; the longer version is not required.

Chinese typing

How do I type Chinese and use written responses?

Add a Simplified Chinese Pinyin keyboard in your device’s keyboard or language settings. On iPhone/iPad, look under Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards. On Android, use your keyboard’s Languages settings. On Windows or Mac, use language or input-source settings. Select the Chinese keyboard, type pinyin, then choose the intended characters.

Later readings include a short written response. Drafts are saved to the active learner’s progress as you type. You can save a response, compare it with a possible supporting detail, and revise it. These responses are not automatically graded; different reasoned answers can work. Progress backup and supported sign-in sync include saved responses.

Microphone setup

What if microphone access is blocked?

Tap Record and allow microphone access when your browser asks. If access was denied, change this website’s microphone permission to Allow or Ask. Your device must also let the browser use its microphone. Return to the lesson and try Record again; reload only if your browser requires it. Reloading clears voice clips in this tab.

Open Mandarin Meadow directly in your browser if recording is unavailable in an embedded window. If the microphone is busy, close other apps using it. For children, a parent or carer can help with permission settings.

iPhone or iPad · Safari
  1. Open this website in Safari, then tap Record and allow the request.
  2. If blocked, open Safari’s page menu beside the address, find Website Settings (or More, then Website Settings), and change Microphone to Ask or Allow for this website.
  3. You can also check Settings → Apps → Safari → Microphone; older versions may show Safari directly in Settings. Return to Safari and try again.

Menu names vary by version. Apple’s Safari settings guide

Android phone or tablet · Chrome
  1. In Chrome, open Settings → Site settings → Microphone. Allow this website or remove its blocked permission, then try Record again.
  2. If still blocked, check Android Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Microphone, and allow access while using the app.

Google’s microphone guide for Android

Mac · Safari or Chrome

In Safari, use Settings → Websites → Microphone and choose Ask or Allow for this website. In Chrome, open the controls beside the address → Site settings → Microphone → Allow.

If the browser is blocked by macOS, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and allow the browser if listed. Relaunch it if requested; relaunching clears current voice clips.

Safari website settings · Chrome microphone settings

Windows · Chrome or Edge

Open the controls beside the website address and allow Microphone in this site’s permissions. In Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone, check microphone access and permission for desktop apps. On older Windows versions, look under Privacy.

Microsoft’s microphone settings guide

Firefox

Use the permissions icon beside the address to remove a blocked microphone permission, then tap Record and allow the new request. You can also review Microphone under Firefox Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions. Check your device’s microphone permission for Firefox too.

Mozilla’s permission guide

Describing Sun Moon Lake

Describe the lake, island and morning mist.

Goals & study plan
Describing Sun Moon Lake

Follow the description from 清晨 to 傍晚. Compare mist, sunlight and reflections; a changed viewpoint does not mean the island itself has moved. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Describe the lake, island and morning mist.
  • Compare the scenery at different times.
  • Find how light, wind and viewpoint change a view.

Descriptions & changed perspectives · Lessons 5–8

Description · reading focus

Follow the viewpoint and organise observed details. Explain how a selected detail helps the reader picture the setting.

Words & sentences

5–8 minutes

Learn the core expressions and record in short blocks.

Reading & dialogue

10–15 minutes

Read one part, try the checks, then record the core dialogue.

Practice & review

5–10 minutes

Practise the writing focus and revisit your first-choice answers.

Help with self-study

Try each item in a short block. Listen when needed, record when ready, and use the hints to retry. Pinyin and English can be turned off independently.

Show support:
Pronunciation & learning options

Pinyin shows how to say a word. The mark above a vowel shows its tone.

mā1. High and level
má2. Rising
mǎ3. Low, then rising
mà4. Falling

Watch the tone marks and listen for the rhythm of the whole phrase. Light syllables are short; pauses belong between meaningful groups.

Characters0 / 14 tasks
Task checklist · 0 / 14 complete

Characters · 生字

Flip each card for stroke order. This lesson’s writing focus: 岛 · 泊 · 晨 · 雾 · 薄.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

湖泊

hú pō

lake

小岛

xiǎo dǎo

small island

形状

xíng zhuàng

shape

清晨

qīng chén

early morning

薄雾

bó wù

light mist

景色

jǐng sè

scenery

Model sentences

日月潭是群山环绕的湖泊。

rì yuè tán shì qún shān huán rào de hú pō。

Sun Moon Lake is a lake surrounded by mountains.

湖中的小岛把水面分成形状不同的两部分。

hú zhōng de xiǎo dǎo bǎ shuǐ miàn fēn chéng xíng zhuàng bù tóng de liǎng bù fèn。

The small island divides the water into two differently shaped parts.

一边像太阳,一边的形状像弯弯的月亮。

yì biān xiàng tài yáng, yì biān de xíng zhuàng xiàng wān wān de yuè liàng。

One side resembles the Sun, while the other is shaped like a curved Moon.

清晨,湖面上常常飘着薄雾。

qīng chén, hú miàn shàng cháng cháng piāo zhe bó wù。

In the early morning, mist often floats over the lake.

阳光升起后,薄雾渐渐散开。

yáng guāng shēng qǐ hòu, bó wù jiàn jiàn sàn kāi。

After the Sun rises, the mist gradually clears.

不同时间的光线让湖边景色发生变化。

bù tóng shí jiān de guāng xiàn ràng hú biān jǐng sè fā shēng biàn huà。

Light at different times changes the scenery beside the lake.

日月潭

台湾群山之间,有一片著名的湖水,叫日月潭。湖中有一座小岛,名叫拉鲁岛。岛的两边,水面形状不同,一边让人联想到太阳,另一边像弯弯的月亮。

tái wān qún shān zhī jiān, yǒu yí piàn zhù míng de hú shuǐ, jiào rì yuè tán。 hú zhōng yǒu yí zuò xiǎo dǎo, míng jiào lā lǔ dǎo。 dǎo de liǎng biān, shuǐ miàn xíng zhuàng bù tóng, yì biān ràng rén lián xiǎng dào tài yáng, lìng yì biān xiàng wān wān de yuè liàng。

Among Taiwan's mountains lies Sun Moon Lake. Lalu Island divides parts of the water whose shapes suggest the sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other.

清晨,薄雾浮在湖上,远处的山只留下一层淡影。岸边的树被雾气遮住一部分,水面又静又柔,仿佛盖着一层轻轻的白纱。

qīng chén, bó wù fú zài hú shàng, yuǎn chù de shān zhǐ liú xià yì céng dàn yǐng。 àn biān de shù bèi wù qì zhē zhù yí bù fèn, shuǐ miàn yòu jìng yòu róu, fǎng fú gài zhe yì céng qīng qīng de bái shā。

In the morning, mist leaves the distant mountains as faint silhouettes. Trees are partly hidden and the still water seems covered with a light white veil.

岸边偶尔传来鸟声,湖面上却没有多少动静,一只小船慢慢穿过雾气。

àn biān ǒu ěr chuán lái niǎo shēng, hú miàn shàng què méi yǒu duō shǎo dòng jìng, yì zhī xiǎo chuán màn màn chuān guò wù qì。

Birdsong sounds from the shore as a small boat crosses the quiet mist.

太阳升起来,雾渐渐散开。湖水显出清亮的颜色,近处能看见细细的波纹,远处的小岛也越来越清楚。山坡上的绿色,跟着光线一点点明亮起来。

tài yáng shēng qǐ lai, wù jiàn jiàn sàn kāi。 hú shuǐ xiǎn chū qīng liàng de yán sè, jìn chù néng kàn jiàn xì xì de bō wén, yuǎn chù de xiǎo dǎo yě yuè lái yuè qīng chu。 shān pō shàng de lǜ sè, gēn zhe guāng xiàn yì diǎn diǎn míng liàng qǐ lai。

As the sun rises, the mist clears. Fine ripples appear nearby and the island becomes clearer. Green slopes gradually brighten.

沿着岸边走,湖面的轮廓不断改变。刚才在正前方的小岛,转过一个弯便到了旁边;岸边的树枝伸进视线,把宽阔的湖水框成另一幅画。

yán zhe àn biān zǒu, hú miàn de lún kuò bù duàn gǎi biàn。 gāng cái zài zhèng qián fāng de xiǎo dǎo, zhuǎn guò yí ge wān biàn dào le páng biān; àn biān de shù zhī shēn jìn shì xiàn, bǎ kuān kuò de hú shuǐ kuāng chéng lìng yì fú huà。

Walking along the shore changes the view. After a bend, the island shifts to one side and branches frame the water as a different picture.

晴天里,天空映在湖面,云经过时,水中的云影也跟着移动。风吹起来,原来完整的倒影散成波纹,岸上的树却仍然站在原处。

qíng tiān lǐ, tiān kōng yìng zài hú miàn, yún jīng guò shí, shuǐ zhōng de yún yǐng yě gēn zhe yí dòng。 fēng chuī qǐ lai, yuán lái wán zhěng de dào yǐng sàn chéng bō wén, àn shàng de shù què réng rán zhàn zài yuán chù。

On clear days, sky and passing clouds reflect in the lake. Wind breaks the reflections into ripples while the trees remain still on shore.

傍晚,山色变深,湖水却还留着一点亮光。游船向岸边驶来,船尾的水纹慢慢展开,又慢慢消失,日月潭渐渐回到安静之中。

bàng wǎn, shān sè biàn shēn, hú shuǐ què hái liú zhe yì diǎn liàng guāng。 yóu chuán xiàng àn biān shǐ lái, chuán wěi de shuǐ wén màn màn zhǎn kāi, yòu màn màn xiāo shī, rì yuè tán jiàn jiàn huí dào ān jìng zhī zhōng。

In the evening, the hills darken while light remains on the water. Returning boats leave wakes that spread and fade as the lake grows quiet.

Conversation

A 你去过日月潭吗?

nǐ qù guò rì yuè tán ma?

Have you visited Sun Moon Lake?

B 没有,我是在资料和照片里了解它的。

méi yǒu, wǒ shì zài zī liào hé zhào piān lǐ liǎo jiě tā de。

No. I learned about it from sources and photographs.

A 为什么先看示意图?

wèi shén me xiān kàn shì yì tú?

Why look at the diagram first?

B 帮助了解小岛和湖面的位置。

bāng zhù liǎo jiě xiǎo dǎo hé hú miàn de wèi zhì。

It helps me understand the island's position within the lake.

A 两张照片为什么看起来不一样?

liǎng zhāng zhào piān wèi shén me kàn qǐ lái bù yí yàng?

Why do the two photos look different?

B 光线、天气和拍摄方向可能不同。

guāng xiàn、 tiān qì hé pāi shè fāng xiàng kě néng bù tóng。

Light, weather and the direction of the photographs may differ.

Sources & image credits

Curriculum references: 幼儿汉语 1–4 and 中文 1–12. Lessons are organised by learning themes and include original texts and graded adaptations.

Scene illustrations: Twemoji, © Twitter and contributors, CC BY 4.0. Pilot word-card illustrations are original AI-generated images.