English → Mandarin
Start with a clear, polite version you can safely use. Then compare natural local speech when the relationship and situation make it appropriate.
Open the speaking lessonsGrammar differences that matter
Mandarin does not conjugate verbs for person or tense the way many European languages do. Time words, aspect particles, measure words and word order do much of the work; tones are part of the word itself.
Culture, politeness & local speech
Mandarin politeness often uses 您, 请, 谢谢 and appropriate titles. Natural speech can be shorter, but tones must remain correct because changing a tone can change the word.
Learning path
English: I am 30 years old.
Mandarin: 我三十岁。
Four speeds, right beside the phrase
Each lesson phrase has Neutral, Slow, Slower and Slowest playback beside it. Press the same choice again whenever you want to hear the phrase again; no separate repeat control is needed.
When reviewed WhyLazy recordings are available, each speed can use a separately produced teaching performance. Until then, WhyLazy prefers the best native voice on the device and never substitutes another language.