Section outline

  • Header image for Unit 1 on greetings in Mandarin Chinese

    Objectives:
    • acquire the basics of pronunciation
    • acquire the basics of Chinese writing
    • learn to greet and thank
    • ask whether someone is well

    New characters: 12
    New words : 10

    Grammar:
    • the simple affirmative sentence
    • the simple interrogative sentence
    • the adjectival verb
    • the particle
    • Vocabulary

    • This lesson introduces you very gradually to the basics of Mandarin Chinese. Each step is followed by a question to check that you have grasped what you have studied.
    • Study of the new characters of Unit 1: pronunciation, writing, components and etymology.
      You can also practise writing the characters interactively in Animated mode.
    • Download and print this PDF document to practice writing the characters of Unit 1.
    • Writing exercises on the characters of Unit 1.
    • All the new words of Unit 1 in characters, pinyin and translation.
    • Exercise to memorize the spoken vocabulary of Unit 1.
    • Exercise to memorize the written vocabulary of Unit 1.
    • Grammar

    • This page presents the Chinese grammar of Unit 1.
    • Exercises to practise the Chinese grammar of Unit 1.

    • Synthesis

    • Synthesis dialogue of Unit 1.
    • Exercises on the dialogue of Unit 1.
    • Cultural topics of Unit 1
    • Test your knowledge of the cultural topics of Unit 1.


    • Assessment

    • Listening comprehension assessment on Unit 1, in 4 parts.
      The questions are fixed and do not change from one attempt to the next.
    • Reading comprehension assessment on Unit 1, in 4 parts.
      The questions are fixed and do not change from one attempt to the next.
    • Oral expression on the content of Unit 1.
      The questions are fixed and use the sentences from the unit's dialogue.

    • Written expression for Unit 1.
      The questions are random and change with each attempt. 

        • Phonetics

        • Practise pronouncing the 4 tones of Mandarin Chinese with this tool that analyses your intonation.
        • Traditional characters

        • This page presents the origin of the simplification of Chinese writing, the geographical areas where it is used, and the simplification principles that make it easier to learn both writing forms.
        • Methodological principles for learning traditional characters as efficiently as possible in addition to the simplified ones.
        • Introduction to the traditional characters of Unit 1.
        • Download and print this PDF document to practice writing the traditional characters of Unit 1.
        • Synthesis dialogue of Unit 1 in traditional characters.