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

Tianshan: a route through changing landscapes

Describe layers of distance and changing viewpoint.

Goals & study plan
Tianshan: a route through changing landscapes

Move between distant outlines, nearby sounds and daily work. Limit a claim to the route and season described, then connect mountain water with life and produce below. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Describe layers of distance and changing viewpoint.
  • Connect meltwater, irrigation and labour.
  • Recognise the scope of a specific landscape account.

Performance, cooperation & places · Lessons 5–8

Travel · reading focus

Follow the route, compare viewpoints and describe selected details. Avoid making one visit stand for every person or place.

Reading sessions · 5 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. Session 5 · Part 5

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

  6. 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: 川 · 山 · 土 · 丰 · 冰 · 谷.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

山脉

shān mài

mountain range

冰川

bīng chuān

glacier

深谷

shēn gǔ

deep valley

丰饶

fēng ráo

abundant

土壤

tǔ rǎng

soil

灌溉

guàn gài

irrigate

Model sentences

天山山脉绵延很远,不同高度形成了不同的自然景观。

tiān shān shān mài mián yán hěn yuǎn, bù tóng gāo dù xíng chéng le bù tóng de zì rán jǐng guān。

The Tianshan mountain range extends a great distance, with different landscapes at different elevations.

高处的冰川储存着水,融水沿山谷向较低地区流去。

gāo chù de bīng chuān chǔ cún zhe shuǐ, róng shuǐ yán shān gǔ xiàng jiào dī dì qū liú qù。

Glaciers at high elevations store water, and meltwater flows through valleys towards lower areas.

车辆穿过深谷时,陡峭山壁使道路显得更加狭窄。

chē liàng chuān guò shēn gǔ shí, dǒu qiào shān bì shǐ dào lù xiǎn de gèng jiā xiá zhǎi。

As a vehicle passes through a deep valley, the steep walls make the road appear even narrower.

这里的丰饶与阳光、水源、土地和人的劳动有关。

zhè lǐ de fēng ráo yǔ yáng guāng、 shuǐ yuán、 tǔ dì hé rén de láo dòng yǒu guān。

The abundance here is connected with sunlight, water, soil and people’s work.

土壤条件会影响植物生长,不能只凭颜色判断是否肥沃。

tǔ rǎng tiáo jiàn huì yǐng xiǎng zhí wù shēng zhǎng, bù néng zhǐ píng yán sè pàn duàn shì fǒu féi wò。

Soil conditions affect plant growth, and fertility cannot be judged by colour alone.

合理灌溉既要满足作物需要,也要减少水资源浪费。

hé lǐ guàn gài jì yào mǎn zú zuò wù xū yào, yě yào jiǎn shǎo shuǐ zī yuán làng fèi。

Sound irrigation must meet crops' needs while reducing waste of water resources.

美丽富饶的天山

天山是一条横跨中亚的大山脉,新疆天山是其中的一部分,雪峰、森林和草场在广阔的山地中展开。

tiān shān shì yì tiáo héng kuà zhōng yà de dà shān mài, xīn jiāng tiān shān shì qí zhōng de yí bù fèn, xuě fēng、 sēn lín hé cǎo chǎng zài guǎng kuò de shān dì zhōng zhǎn kāi。

Tianshan is a mountain system extending across Central Asia; its Xinjiang section contains snow peaks, forests and grasslands.

从远处望去,峰顶像戴着明亮的银冠,蓝天下的山脊高低起伏,有些坡面在阳光里,有些落在阴影中。

cóng yuǎn chù wàng qù, fēng dǐng xiàng dài zhe míng liàng de yín guān, lán tiān xià de shān jí gāo dī qǐ fú, yǒu xiē pō miàn zài yáng guāng lǐ, yǒu xiē luò zài yīn yǐng zhōng。

From afar, peaks resemble bright silver crowns, with ridges rising and falling under blue sky and slopes divided between sun and shade.

走近山谷,便听见水声从高处传来,积雪融成的水沿着岩壁流下,汇入弯弯的溪沟。

zǒu jìn shān gǔ, biàn tīng jiàn shuǐ shēng cóng gāo chù chuán lái, jī xuě róng chéng de shuǐ yán zhe yán bì liú xià, huì rù wān wān de xī gōu。

Approaching a valley, one hears water descending from higher ground as meltwater runs along rock faces into winding streams.

山路转弯以后,眼前的景色又不同,刚才遮住视线的岩壁移到身后,另一段雪线出现在高处。风声有时从谷口传来,有时被山势挡住,停在不同位置,听见和看见的内容也不相同。

shān lù zhuǎn wān yǐ hòu, yǎn qián de jǐng sè yòu bù tóng, gāng cái zhē zhù shì xiàn de yán bì yí dào shēn hòu, lìng yí duàn xuě xiàn chū xiàn zài gāo chù。 fēng shēng yǒu shí cóng gǔ kǒu chuán lái, yǒu shí bèi shān shì dǎng zhù, tíng zài bù tóng wèi zhì, tīng jiàn hé kàn jiàn de nèi róng yě bù xiāng tóng。

Around a bend, new rock and snow views appear, while the terrain alters wind sounds from different positions.

溪边的草叶带着水珠,花朵随着地势分布,风吹过的时候,细小的花瓣和草尖一起轻轻摇动。

xī biān de cǎo yè dài zhe shuǐ zhū, huā duǒ suí zhe dì shì fēn bù, fēng chuī guò de shí hou, xì xiǎo de huā bàn hé cǎo jiān yì qǐ qīng qīng yáo dòng。

Dew rests on streamside grass, flowers follow the terrain, and petals and grass tips sway together in the breeze.

在一段平缓的地方,水流分成几条细线,绕过石头,又在较低处汇合。靠近水边的颜色更深,远一点的坡面却有不同的草木;地势与水分让这些变化连在一起,而不是任意散落的装饰。

zài yí duàn píng huǎn de dì fang, shuǐ liú fēn chéng jǐ tiáo xì xiàn, rào guò shí tou, yòu zài jiào dī chù huì hé。 kào jìn shuǐ biān de yán sè gēng shēn, yuǎn yì diǎn de pō miàn què yǒu bù tóng de cǎo mù; dì shì yǔ shuǐ fèn ràng zhè xiē biàn huà lián zài yì qǐ, ér bú shì rèn yì sàn luò de zhuāng shì。

Streams divide and reunite around stones, and moisture and terrain connect differences in nearby vegetation and colours.

再向前,视野渐渐打开,辽阔的草场连向远山,牧群在草坡上缓缓移动,远看像散落在绿色中的小点。

zài xiàng qián, shì yě jiàn jiàn dǎ kāi, liáo kuò de cǎo chǎng lián xiàng yuǎn shān, mù qún zài cǎo pō shàng huǎn huǎn yí dòng, yuǎn kàn xiàng sàn luò zài lǜ sè zhōng de xiǎo diǎn。

Farther on, the view opens onto grassland stretching towards distant mountains, where herds resemble small scattered dots on the green slopes.

近处是草叶,稍远处是牲畜,再远处是层层山影,不同的距离使同一片风景有了清楚的层次。

jìn chù shì cǎo yè, shāo yuǎn chù shì shēng chù, zài yuǎn chù shì céng céng shān yǐng, bù tóng de jù lí shǐ tóng yí piàn fēng jǐng yǒu le qīng chu de céng cì。

Near grass, more distant animals and far mountain silhouettes give the landscape clear layers of distance.

草场上的活动也随着时间改变,牧群移动,人们留意牲畜和天气,安排一天的工作。远处看见的几个小点,走近以后便有具体的人、工具和需要处理的事情,风景中的生活并不是静止不动的。

cǎo chǎng shàng de huó dòng yě suí zhe shí jiān gǎi biàn, mù qún yí dòng, rén men liú yì shēng chù hé tiān qì, ān pái yì tiān de gōng zuò。 yuǎn chù kàn jiàn de jǐ gè xiǎo diǎn, zǒu jìn yǐ hòu biàn yǒu jù tǐ de rén、 gōng jù hé xū yào chǔ lǐ de shì qíng, fēng jǐng zhōng de shēng huó bìng bú shì jìng zhǐ bù dòng de。

Herds and daily work change through time; distant dots become people and practical tasks, revealing life rather than a still picture.

在适合的山地环境里,也能看见森林与湖泊,树影映在水面上,天气变化时,颜色便随光线改变。

zài shì hé de shān dì huán jìng lǐ, yě néng kàn jiàn sēn lín yǔ hú pō, shù yǐng yìng zài shuǐ miàn shàng, tiān qì biàn huà shí, yán sè biàn suí guāng xiàn gǎi biàn。

In suitable mountain environments, forests and lakes appear, with reflected trees changing colour as weather alters the light.

一处湖边的水面很平,山影倒映在里面,风过来以后,影子就被细小波纹分开。树与山并没有改变形状,变化的是水面怎样把它们映出来;同一个地方,也会因为观察的时刻而有不同画面。

yí chù hú biān de shuǐ miàn hěn píng, shān yǐng dào yìng zài lǐ miàn, fēng guò lái yǐ hòu, yǐng zi jiù bèi xì xiǎo bō wén fēn kāi。 shù yǔ shān bìng méi yǒu gǎi biàn xíng zhuàng, biàn huà de shì shuǐ miàn zěn yàng bǎ tā men yìng chū lái; tóng yí ge dì fang, yě huì yīn wèi guān chá de shí kè ér yǒu bù tóng huà miàn。

A breeze breaks mountain reflections into ripples; the mountains remain unchanged while the water’s image changes with time.

山地的水流还与山下的生活相连,人们引水灌溉,让田地和果园里的作物得到需要的水分。

shān dì de shuǐ liú hái yǔ shān xià de shēng huó xiāng lián, rén men yǐn shuǐ guàn gài, ràng tián dì hé guǒ yuán lǐ de zuò wù dé dào xū yào de shuǐ fèn。

Mountain water also supports life below, where irrigation supplies fields and orchards with needed moisture.

沿着山坡向上,树木的高低和疏密渐渐改变。转过一处岩壁,林间又露出一片开阔的空地,远处的雪峰重新进入视线,脚边却仍有细小的草叶和石子。

yán zhe shān pō xiàng shàng, shù mù de gāo dī hé shū mì jiàn jiàn gǎi biàn。 zhuǎn guò yí chù yán bì, lín jiān yòu lù chū yí piàn kāi kuò de kòng dì, yuǎn chù de xuě fēng chóng xīn jìn rù shì xiàn, jiǎo biān què réng yǒu xì xiǎo de cǎo yè hé shí zi。

Along the slope, trees change in height and density. Beyond a rock face lies a clearing, revealing the snowy peaks again above small grasses and pebbles.

一份瓜果来到餐桌前,要经过种植、照料、采收和运输,丰富的物产背后也有许多人的劳动。

yí fèn guā guǒ lái dào cān zhuō qián, yào jīng guò zhòng zhí、 zhào liào、 cǎi shōu hé yùn shū, fēng fù de wù chǎn bèi hòu yě yǒu xǔ duō rén de láo dòng。

Fruit reaches the table through planting, care, harvest and transport, with many people’s work behind the produce.

当地流传着与山川、湖泊有关的传说,人们借这些故事表达愿望,也把记忆与熟悉的景色联系起来。

dāng dì liú chuán zhe yǔ shān chuān、 hú pō yǒu guān de chuán shuō, rén men jiè zhè xiē gù shì biǎo dá yuàn wàng, yě bǎ jì yì yǔ shú xī de jǐng sè lián xì qǐ lai。

Local mountain and lake legends express wishes and connect memories with familiar scenery.

谈到物产,向导不只说味道,还说种植的人怎样照料土地,水怎样来到田间,成熟以后又怎样运输。游客记住一盘甜美的果子,也能够记住它与山地、田地和劳动者之间的联系。

tán dào wù chǎn, xiàng dǎo bù zhǐ shuō wèi dào, hái shuō zhòng zhí de rén zěn yàng zhào liào tǔ dì, shuǐ zěn yàng lái dào tián jiān, chéng shú yǐ hòu yòu zěn yàng yùn shū。 yóu kè jì zhù yī pán tián měi de guǒ zi, yě néng gòu jì zhù tā yǔ shān dì、 tián dì hé láo dòng zhě zhī jiān de lián xì。

The guide links produce to growing, water and transport, connecting an enjoyable fruit plate to the landscape and its workers.

季节和地点不同,看到的景象也会改变,不能把一段路线上的花草,当成整条山脉时时相同的样子。

jì jié hé dì diǎn bù tóng, kàn dào de jǐng xiàng yě huì gǎi biàn, bù néng bǎ yí duàn lù xiàn shàng de huā cǎo, dàng chéng zhěng tiáo shān mài shí shí xiāng tóng de yàng zi。

Views vary with season and place, so plants along one route do not represent the entire range at every moment.

离开草场以前,大家把带来的东西整理好,不给后来的人留下垃圾。欣赏景色也包括关心怎样相处,山水不会因为有人称赞,就自动得到照顾;具体的行动,才能让那份喜爱留在眼前的环境里。

lí kāi cǎo chǎng yǐ qián, dà jiā bǎ dài lái de dōng xi zhěng lǐ hǎo, bù gěi hòu lái de rén liú xià lā jī。 xīn shǎng jǐng sè yě bāo kuò guān xīn zěn yàng xiāng chǔ, shān shuǐ bú huì yīn wèi yǒu rén chēng zàn, jiù zì dòng dé dào zhào gù; jù tǐ de xíng dòng, cái néng ràng nà fèn xǐ ài liú zài yǎn qián de huán jìng lǐ。

Before leaving, visitors tidy their belongings; practical care, rather than praise alone, supports the landscape they admire.

离开时,再回望雪峰与草场,远处有明亮的轮廓,近处有水声与生活,天山的美便不只剩下一个名字。

lí kāi shí, zài huí wàng xuě fēng yǔ cǎo chǎng, yuǎn chù yǒu míng liàng de lún kuò, jìn chù yǒu shuǐ shēng yǔ shēng huó, tiān shān de měi biàn bù zhǐ shèng xia yí ge míng zi。

Looking back while leaving, bright peaks, nearby water and everyday life make Tianshan’s beauty more than a name.

Conversation

A 新疆天山与整个天山一样吗?

xīn jiāng tiān shān yǔ zhěng gè tiān shān yí yàng ma?

Is Xinjiang Tianshan the whole system?

B 它是天山的一部分。

tā shì tiān shān de yí bù fèn。

It is part of Tianshan.

A 为什么用在这段路线旁?

wèi shén me yòng zài zhè duàn lù xiàn páng?

Why say “beside this stretch”?

B 限定观察的范围。

xiàn dìng guān chá de fàn wéi。

To limit the observation’s scope.

A 走近以后增加了哪种感官?

zǒu jìn yǐ hòu zēng jiā le nǎ zhǒng gǎn guān?

Which sense joins the nearer view?

B 听到水声。

tīng dào shuǐ shēng。

Hearing water.

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.