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

Snow White: envy, refuge and a changed ending

Retell shelter, deception and awakening.

Goals & study plan
Snow White: envy, refuge and a changed ending

Read this adapted fairy tale through actions and their consequences. Trace how the hunter and dwarfs offer help, while the queen conceals harmful intentions. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Retell shelter, deception and awakening.
  • Compare an appearance with a concealed intention.
  • Identify repeated details that connect the ending to the cottage.

Imagination, observation & contributions · Lessons 1–4

Fairy Tale · reading focus

Trace events, perspective and a meaningful detail. Explain your interpretation and consider another possible view.

Reading sessions · 4 parts
  1. Session 1 · Part 1

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  2. Session 2 · Part 2

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  3. Session 3 · Part 3

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  4. Session 4 · Part 4

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  5. Connect & respond

    Link the parts, try the reading checks, then write or explain a supported response. Complete the dialogue recordings in short blocks.

Words & sentences

5–8 minutes

Learn the core expressions and record in short blocks.

Reading & dialogue

10–15 minutes per sitting

Read one part per sitting. Use the reading sessions in this plan, then connect the parts and practise the dialogue in short blocks.

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 / 22 tasks
Task checklist · 0 / 22 complete

Characters · 生字

Flip each card for stroke order. This lesson’s writing focus: 伪 · 妒 · 苏 · 猎 · 森 · 嫉.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

嫉妒

jí dù

envy

猎人

liè rén

hunter

森林

sēn lín

forest

收留

shōu liú

offer shelter

伪装

wěi zhuāng

disguise

苏醒

sū xǐng

regain consciousness

Model sentences

王后因为嫉妒白雪公主的美貌,作出了伤害别人的决定。

wáng hòu yīn wèi jí dù bái xuě gōng zhǔ de měi mào, zuò chū le shāng hài bié rén de jué dìng。

Because the queen envies Snow White's beauty, she makes a decision that harms another person.

猎人没有服从命令,而是让白雪公主逃进森林。

liè rén méi yǒu fú cóng mìng lìng, ér shì ràng bái xuě gōng zhǔ táo jìn sēn lín。

The hunter does not obey the order and instead lets Snow White escape into the forest.

她独自在森林里走了很久,终于看见一间小屋。

tā dú zì zài sēn lín lǐ zǒu le hěn jiǔ, zhōng yú kàn jiàn yì jiān xiǎo wū。

She walks alone through the forest for a long time and finally sees a small cottage.

小屋的主人听完她的经历,决定暂时收留她。

xiǎo wū de zhǔ rén tīng wán tā de jīng lì, jué dìng zàn shí shōu liú tā。

After hearing what happened to her, the owners of the house decide to shelter her for a while.

王后改变外表进行伪装,使白雪公主没有认出她。

wáng hòu gǎi biàn wài biǎo jìn xíng wěi zhuāng, shǐ bái xuě gōng zhǔ méi yǒu rèn chū tā。

The queen disguises herself by changing her appearance, so Snow White does not recognise her.

白雪公主苏醒以后,大家才放下心来。

bái xuě gōng zhǔ sū xǐng yǐ hòu, dà jiā cái fàng xià xīn lái。

Only after Snow White wakes up does everyone feel relieved.

白雪公主

在一座童话中的王宫里,白雪公主渐渐长大,新的王后却总是对着魔镜比较自己的容貌,把别人的美看成对自己的威胁。

zài yí zuò tóng huà zhōng de wáng gōng lǐ, bái xuě gōng zhǔ jiàn jiàn zhǎng dà, xīn de wáng hòu què zǒng shì duì zhe mó jìng bǐ jiào zì jǐ de róng mào, bǎ bié rén de měi kàn chéng duì zì jǐ de wēi xié。

In a fairy-tale palace, Snow White grows up while the new queen compares appearances in a magic mirror and treats another person's beauty as a threat.

当魔镜说白雪公主更美时,王后没有反省自己的嫉妒,反而叫猎人把姑娘带进森林,企图让她从此不能回到王宫。

dāng mó jìng shuō bái xuě gōng zhǔ gèng měi shí, wáng hòu méi yǒu fǎn xǐng zì jǐ de jí dù, fǎn ér jiào liè rén bǎ gū niáng dài jìn sēn lín, qǐ tú ràng tā cóng cǐ bù néng huí dào wáng gōng。

When the mirror names Snow White as more beautiful, the queen sends a hunter to take her into the forest so she cannot return.

猎人看见姑娘害怕的样子,不愿执行残忍的命令,便让她逃走,白雪公主只好沿着陌生的小路寻找可以暂时休息的地方。

liè rén kàn jiàn gū niáng hài pà de yàng zi, bù yuàn zhí xíng cán rěn de mìng lìng, biàn ràng tā táo zǒu, bái xuě gōng zhǔ zhǐ hǎo yán zhe mò shēng de xiǎo lù xún zhǎo kě yǐ zàn shí xiū xi de dì fang。

The hunter refuses the cruel order and lets her escape; she follows unfamiliar paths in search of a resting place.

傍晚,她发现一间小屋,屋里的小桌子上摆着七套餐具,旁边还有七张小床,她吃了一点食物,疲倦得很快睡着了。

bàng wǎn, tā fā xiàn yì jiān xiǎo wū, wū lǐ de xiǎo zhuō zi shàng bǎi zhe qī tào cān jù, páng biān hái yǒu qī zhāng xiǎo chuáng, tā chī le yì diǎn shí wù, pí juàn de hěn kuài shuì zháo le。

At dusk she finds a cottage with seven place settings and seven beds, eats a little food and soon falls asleep from exhaustion.

七个小矮人回家以后听了她的经历,决定收留她,又提醒她不要随便开门,于是这间小屋成了她暂时躲避危险的住处。

qī gè xiǎo ǎi rén huí jiā yǐ hòu tīng le tā de jīng lì, jué dìng shōu liú tā, yòu tí xǐng tā bú yào suí biàn kāi mén, yú shì zhè jiān xiǎo wū chéng le tā zàn shí duǒ bì wēi xiǎn de zhù chù。

The seven dwarfs hear her story, offer shelter and warn her against opening the door casually, making the cottage a temporary refuge.

小矮人把椅子拉过来,请她坐下。姑娘一边说,一边擦去脸上的泪水。屋外已经暗了,屋里却有灯和温热的饭,她第一次觉得自己不用继续在森林里奔跑。

xiǎo ǎi rén bǎ yǐ zi lā guò lái, qǐng tā zuò xià。 gū niáng yì biān shuō, yì biān cā qù liǎn shàng de lèi shuǐ。 wū wài yǐ jīng àn le, wū lǐ què yǒu dēng hé wēn rè de fàn, tā dì yī cì jué de zì jǐ bù yòng jì xù zài sēn lín lǐ bēn pǎo。

The dwarfs offered a chair. She wiped away tears as she spoke. Outside was dark, but inside were light and warm food; she no longer had to run through the forest.

王后从魔镜那里得知姑娘还活着,便换上陌生人的衣服来到小屋,用亲切的声音推销一根带子,把自己的恶意藏在笑容后面。

wáng hòu cóng mó jìng nà lǐ dé zhī gū niáng hái huó zhe, biàn huàn shàng mò shēng rén de yī fú lái dào xiǎo wū, yòng qīn qiè de shēng yīn tuī xiāo yì gēn dài zi, bǎ zì jǐ de è yì cáng zài xiào róng hòu miàn。

The queen learns that Snow White lives, disguises herself and sells a ribbon in a friendly voice, concealing malice behind a smile.

白雪公主相信了她,带子却使她不能呼吸,幸好小矮人回来及时剪断带子,姑娘才醒来,但王后并没有因此放弃伤害她的计划。

bái xuě gōng zhǔ xiāng xìn le tā, dài zi què shǐ tā bù néng hū xī, xìng hǎo xiǎo ǎi rén huí lái jí shí jiǎn duàn dài zi, gū niáng cái xǐng lái, dàn wáng hòu bìng méi yǒu yīn cǐ fàng qì shāng hài tā de jì huà。

Snow White trusts her and cannot breathe because of the ribbon; the dwarfs cut it in time, but the queen continues her plan.

第二次,王后拿来一个有毒的苹果,姑娘刚吃一口便倒下,小矮人回来后十分悲伤,想尽办法也没能立刻让她重新睁开眼睛。

dì èr cì, wáng hòu ná lái yí ge yǒu dú de píng guǒ, gū niáng gāng chī yì kǒu biàn dǎo xià, xiǎo ǎi rén huí lái hòu shí fēn bēi shāng, xiǎng jìn bàn fǎ yě méi néng lì kè ràng tā chóng xīn zhēng kāi yǎn jīng。

The queen next brings a poisoned apple; Snow White collapses after a bite and the grieving dwarfs cannot immediately revive her.

王子派人抬走姑娘时,路上的震动使卡在喉咙里的苹果块掉出来,她终于睁开眼睛,重新看见身边的世界。

wáng zǐ pài rén tái zǒu gū niáng shí, lù shàng de zhèn dòng shǐ kǎ zài hóu long lǐ de píng guǒ kuài diào chū lái, tā zhōng yú zhēng kāi yǎn jīng, chóng xīn kàn jiàn shēn biān de shì jiè。

While the prince’s men carry her, jolting dislodges the piece of apple in her throat, and she opens her eyes to the world again.

小矮人一个接一个来到她身边,惊喜地叫她的名字。姑娘慢慢坐起来,先摸摸自己的脸,再向那些熟悉的面孔伸出手。

xiǎo ǎi rén yí ge jiē yí ge lái dào tā shēn biān, jīng xǐ de jiào tā de míng zi。 gū niáng màn màn zuò qǐ lái, xiān mō mō zì jǐ de liǎn, zài xiàng nà xiē shú xī de miàn kǒng shēn chū shǒu。

One by one, the dwarfs joyfully called her name. She sat up, touched her face and reached towards the familiar companions.

王子告诉她事情的经过,她想到帮助过自己的小矮人,便向他们道谢,也决定不再独自面对王后的欺骗。

wáng zǐ gào su tā shì qíng de jīng guò, tā xiǎng dào bāng zhù guò zì jǐ de xiǎo ǎi rén, biàn xiàng tā men dào xiè, yě jué dìng bù zài dú zì miàn duì wáng hòu de qī piàn。

The prince explains; she thanks the dwarfs who helped her and resolves not to face the queen’s deception alone again.

后来,她与王子结婚,小矮人也来到庆祝的地方,桌边的笑声与森林里的寂静已经很不一样。

hòu lái, tā yǔ wáng zǐ jié hūn, xiǎo ǎi rén yě lái dào qìng zhù de dì fang, zhuō biān de xiào shēng yǔ sēn lín lǐ de jì jìng yǐ jīng hěn bù yí yàng。

Later she marries the prince; the dwarfs join the celebration, whose laughter differs greatly from the forest’s silence.

姑娘再次想起小屋里七张小床和七只小碗,那些普通的东西曾经给她一个能够安心停留的地方。

gū niáng zài cì xiǎng qǐ xiǎo wū lǐ qī zhāng xiǎo chuáng hé qī zhǐ xiǎo wǎn, nà xiē pǔ tōng de dōng xi céng jīng gěi tā yí ge néng gòu ān xīn tíng liú de dì fang。

She remembers the cottage’s seven beds and bowls, ordinary things that once gave her a safe refuge.

Conversation

A 你准备怎样复述白雪公主?

nǐ zhǔn bèi zěn yàng fù shù bái xuě gōng zhǔ?

How will you retell Snow White?

B 先说王后的嫉妒,再说森林里的逃离。

xiān shuō wáng hòu de jí dù, zài shuō sēn lín lǐ de táo lí。

I will begin with envy, then the escape in the forest.

A 猎人为什么没有执行命令?

liè rén wèi shén me méi yǒu zhí xíng mìng lìng?

Why does the hunter refuse the order?

B 他同情姑娘,不愿伤害她。

tā tóng qíng gū niáng, bù yuàn shāng hài tā。

He feels compassion and will not harm her.

A 小屋里的哪些细节暗示有七个主人?

xiǎo wū lǐ de nǎ xiē xì jié àn shì yǒu qī gè zhǔ rén?

Which details suggest seven owners?

B 七套餐具和七张小床。

qī tào cān jù hé qī zhāng xiǎo chuáng。

Seven place settings and seven beds.

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.