Learn Mandarin Chinese
ChineseShifu guides you from your very first tones to confident conversations — at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Free to download · iOS & Android
Daily lesson
5 min · Tones
4.9 · 12k reviews
What you'll learn
Speak with confidence
Mandarin has four tones — and getting them right changes everything. ChineseShifu's tone trainer listens to your voice and gives you instant, gentle feedback so you build the right habits from day one.
Build real vocabulary
Our spaced-repetition system surfaces the right word at the right moment — so you spend less time reviewing and more time actually using Chinese in real sentences.
Read and write
From pinyin to hanzi, ChineseShifu breaks down every character into its building blocks. Animated stroke-order guides and mnemonics make reading feel achievable — not overwhelming.
Real stories from people who started exactly where you are now.
"I tried three other apps before ChineseShifu. This one actually explains the why behind the grammar — it feels like having a real tutor."
Sarah K.
Passed HSK 2 after 4 months
"The tone trainer is a game-changer. My Chinese colleagues actually understood me the first time I tried speaking at work."
Marcus T.
Business Mandarin learner
"I'm 58 and learning Chinese for my first trip to Beijing. ChineseShifu never makes me feel rushed or behind."
Linda M.
Travel learner, complete beginner
Free learning resources
Practical articles written for real learners — whether you're just starting out or preparing for your HSK exam.
The four tones of Mandarin feel impossible at first — but with the right approach, you can train your ear and your voice faster than you think. Here's where to start.
HSK 1 is your first milestone — and it's more achievable than it looks. We break down all 150 required words with memory tips and example sentences.
Skip the textbook openers. These are the phrases real Mandarin speakers use every day — greetings, small talk, and the polite phrases that make a great impression.
Join thousands of learners who chose a friendlier way to learn Mandarin.
Free forever · No credit card needed