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

Looking closely at a palace

Name features of a palace, hall and garden.

Goals & study plan
Looking closely at a palace

Read this descriptive text by viewpoint: approach the palace, enter the hall, look up and down, then visit the garden. Notice literal reflection and the literary phrase 留住光. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Name features of a palace, hall and garden.
  • Follow viewpoint and location changes in a description.
  • Find how windows and mirrors make the hall bright.

Letters, places & description · Lessons 1–4

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

5–10 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 / 10 tasks
Task checklist · 0 / 10 complete

Characters · 生字

Flip each card for stroke order. This lesson’s writing focus: 厅 · 参 · 宫 · 殿.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

宫殿

gōng diàn

palace

镜子

jìng zi

mirror

大厅

dà tīng

great hall

花园

huā yuán

garden

参观

cān guān

visit a place

安静

ān jìng

quiet

Model sentences

凡尔赛宫是一座著名的宫殿。

fán ěr sài gōng shì yí zuò zhù míng de gōng diàn。

The Palace of Versailles is a famous palace.

大厅里的镜子反射着阳光。

dà tīng lǐ de jìng zi fǎn shè zhe yáng guāng。

The mirrors in the hall reflect the sunlight.

明亮的大厅里有许多游客。

míng liàng de dà tīng lǐ yǒu xǔ duō yóu kè。

There are many visitors in the bright hall.

宫殿后面有一个大花园。

gōng diàn hòu miàn yǒu yí ge dà huā yuán。

There is a large garden behind the palace.

参观时,我们认真阅读说明牌。

cān guān shí, wǒ men rèn zhēn yuè dú shuō míng pái。

During our visit, we read the information signs carefully.

大家安静地欣赏镜厅。

dà jiā ān jìng de xīn shǎng jìng tīng。

Everyone quietly admires the Hall of Mirrors.

凡尔赛宫

法国巴黎附近,有一座著名的宫殿,叫凡尔赛宫。走近宫殿,首先映入眼帘的是宽阔的庭院和整齐的建筑。

fǎ guó bā lí fù jìn, yǒu yí zuò zhù míng de gōng diàn, jiào fán ěr sài gōng。 zǒu jìn gōng diàn, shǒu xiān yìng rù yǎn lián de shì kuān kuò de tíng yuàn hé zhěng qí de jiàn zhù。

Near Paris in France stands the famous Palace of Versailles. Approaching it, visitors first see a spacious courtyard and orderly buildings.

走进镜厅,一边是高大的窗户,另一边是一面面镜子。窗外的阳光照进来,又在镜子里反射,使大厅显得更加明亮。

zǒu jìn jìng tīng, yì biān shì gāo dà de chuāng hù, lìng yì biān shì yí miàn miàn jìng zi。 chuāng wài de yáng guāng zhào jìn lái, yòu zài jìng zi lǐ fǎn shè, shǐ dà tīng xiǎn de gèng jiā míng liàng。

In the Hall of Mirrors, tall windows stand on one side and mirrors on the other. Sunlight enters through the windows and is reflected in the mirrors, brightening the hall.

抬头看,天花板上有色彩丰富的绘画;低头看,脚下的地面伸向大厅的另一端。人们放慢脚步,欣赏不同方向的景色。

tái tóu kàn, tiān huā bǎn shàng yǒu sè cǎi fēng fù de huì huà; dī tóu kàn, jiǎo xià de dì miàn shēn xiàng dà tīng de lìng yī duān。 rén men fàng màn jiǎo bù, xīn shǎng bù tóng fāng xiàng de jǐng sè。

Colourful paintings cover the ceiling, while the floor stretches to the far end of the hall. Visitors slow down to enjoy the views in different directions.

宫殿后面是广大的花园。树木经过修剪,小路连接花坛,喷泉和池水点缀其间。沿着小路向前走,花园的景色一层层展开。

gōng diàn hòu miàn shì guǎng dà de huā yuán。 shù mù jīng guò xiū jiǎn, xiǎo lù lián jiē huā tán, pēn quán hé chí shuǐ diǎn zhuì qí jiān。 yán zhe xiǎo lù xiàng qián zǒu, huā yuán de jǐng sè yì céng céng zhǎn kāi。

A vast garden lies behind the palace. Trimmed trees and paths connect flowerbeds, fountains and pools. Along the paths, the scenery unfolds in layers.

宫殿里的镜子留住光,花园里的水面映出天空。建筑和自然在这里相遇,也给游人留下不同的印象。

gōng diàn lǐ de jìng zi liú zhù guāng, huā yuán lǐ de shuǐ miàn yìng chū tiān kōng。 jiàn zhù hé zì rán zài zhè lǐ xiāng yù, yě gěi yóu rén liú xià bù tóng de yìn xiàng。

Mirrors hold the light inside, while garden pools reflect the sky. Architecture and nature meet here, leaving visitors with different impressions.

Conversation

A 你想把哪一张照片放在海报中间?

nǐ xiǎng bǎ nǎ yì zhāng zhào piān fàng zài hǎi bào zhōng jiān?

Which photo would you like in the centre of the poster?

B 大厅的照片,那里很明亮。

dà tīng de zhào piān, nà lǐ hěn míng liàng。

The hall photo; it is very bright there.

A 我更喜欢花园,能看清楚小路。

wǒ gèng xǐ huan huā yuán, néng kàn qīng chǔ xiǎo lù。

I prefer the garden, where we can see the paths clearly.

B 那我们一边放大厅,一边放花园吧。

nà wǒ men yì biān fàng dà tīng, yì biān fàng huā yuán ba。

Then let us put the hall on one side and the garden on the other.

A 你能说说为什么喜欢大厅吗?

nǐ néng shuō shuō wèi shén me xǐ huan dà tīng ma?

Can you explain why you like the hall?

B 镜子反射了光,看起来比普通房间更亮。

jìng zi fǎn shè le guāng, kàn qǐ lái bǐ pǔ tōng fáng jiān gèng liàng。

The mirrors reflect light, so it looks brighter than an ordinary room.

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.