- Hear
- Speak
- Trace
- Check
Practice the phrase, not the whole language.
Choose one tool for the phrase in front of you. Come back to search whenever you need a different moment.
Hear it
Tap play to hear Mandarin speech.
Start slow, say it aloud, then try normal speed.
Speak it
Record your voice, listen back, then try the phrase again. Your recording stays on this device.
If your browser supports speech recognition, we will also show what it heard.
Trace it
Check meaning
Start with 300 everyday essentials, or include phrases from the practical situation guides.
Practice three different useful phrases to finish today's small lesson.
What is the Phrase Trainer?
The Phrase Trainer turns a NihaoTalk phrase into something you can practice aloud. Each phrase has tone-mark pinyin, a plain-English meaning, and slow and normal Mandarin audio. Listen, say it, then use microphone recording where your browser supports it to compare an attempt. Save the phrases you expect to use so you can return to them. No account is needed: saved phrases and learning progress are kept in this browser. Playback recordings are temporary and do not survive closing or reloading the page.
How to practice a phrase well
Work on one phrase at a time. Play the slow audio and read the tone marks before you listen at normal speed; the tones are part of the word, not decoration. Say the phrase out loud at least three times, because silent reading does not train your mouth. Then record yourself and listen back once. If the recording sounds close, save the phrase and move on. A small set practiced carefully is a useful starting point, which is why the trainer sets a daily goal of three.
Questions learners ask
Is the trainer free?
Yes. The library, audio, saving, and supported recording features are free and need no sign-up. Microphone recording requires a compatible browser and your permission.
Does my voice recording leave my device?
NihaoTalk does not upload your playback recording; it is kept temporarily in the current page. The optional speech-to-text feature is separate and may send audio to your browser provider's recognition service. Processing depends on the browser. See the privacy policy before using microphone features; audio listening and text practice do not require a microphone.
What is the difference between the trainer and the flashcards?
The trainer is for learning a phrase the first time, with audio and recording. The flashcards are for reviewing phrases you have already met, on a spaced schedule.
Which phrases should I start with?
Start with the scene you will face first: food phrases before a trip, greetings before meeting people, emergency phrases before you need them.