Pinyin chart

Pinyin is a system for writing the sounds of Chinese characters using the Latin alphabet. Pinyin was officially adopted in China in 1958.

In this section of the website, you’ll find a chart of all the syllables in Mandarin. Don’t let its size scare you. Once you understand the logic behind the chart, you’ll enjoy using it.

Mandarin has only about 400 syllables. I’ve collected them here for you, all in one place, to make practicing easier. An empty cell means that syllable doesn’t exist in Mandarin.

Why am I proud of this chart, and what makes it better than other pinyin charts?

Listen → Say it → Get feedback. The chart shows Pinyin and plays the correct pronunciation. It also checks your own pronunciation and gives you suggestions for how to keep working on the sound.

When I decided to start practicing again, I started looking for a tool. I needed something simple: a quick way to find out my actual level without signing up, and a set of ready-to-use texts to practice with.

There were plenty of tools. They all did the same thing: gave me a score and asked me to try again. None of them told me exactly what to do differently.

And that was the only thing I needed: not “72 out of 100,” but “your tongue is too far forward, move it back.”

The chart remembers your last try

Each cell in the chart remembers how you did on it in this browser. For example, say you practiced the syllable xi today and made a mistake. When you come back the next day, you can pick up where you left off.

Nothing extra to distract you while you study

You don’t have to bother with linking an account or entering a code from your email. Focus on studying instead of endless banners telling you to “sign up for a course” or “create an account.” Open it, listen, say it, leave.