# Learn Chinese with NativePal > Learn Chinese with NativePal: levelled reading, vocabulary with spaced repetition, and pronunciation coaching. Free app for iOS and Android. ## Quick facts - Native name: 中文 - Speakers: 1.1+ billion speakers worldwide - Spoken in: mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Chinese communities worldwide - Writing system: Chinese characters; roughly 2,500 to 3,000 needed for everyday literacy - FSI difficulty category: IV - Estimated study to professional working proficiency: 2200 hours (about 88 weeks full-time, per the US Foreign Service Institute) - Proficiency framework: HSK (HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, HSK 5, HSK 6) ## What English speakers find hardest about Chinese - **Four tones plus a neutral tone**: Pitch is part of the word: mā, má, mǎ and mà are four different words. Tones cannot be treated as an accent to polish later. - **No conjugation, aspect particles instead**: Verbs never change form. Particles such as 了, 过 and 着 mark completion or experience, which is freeing but leaves learners unsure how to place events in time. - **Measure words**: You cannot say "three books" without a classifier between the number and the noun, and each noun category takes its own: 个, 张, 条, 只 and dozens more. - **Tone sandhi**: Tones change in context. Two third tones in a row turn the first into a second tone, so what you memorise is not always what you say. - **Topic-comment sentence structure**: Chinese often states the topic first and then comments on it, producing sentences that resist a word-for-word English mapping. ## How you practise Chinese in NativePal - [Reading Lessons](https://nativepal.app/features/reading-lessons/): Chinese stories generated for your level, every word tappable for a translation, comprehension quiz at the end. - [Vocabulary & Dictionary](https://nativepal.app/features/vocabulary-and-dictionary/): themed Chinese vocabulary lessons plus a personal dictionary feeding spaced-repetition flashcards. - [Speaking Practice](https://nativepal.app/features/speaking-practice/): read Chinese aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual sounds, prosody, fluency, and connected speech. - [Daily Challenges](https://nativepal.app/features/daily-challenges/): 60 seconds of freeform Chinese every day, analysed for grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing. - [Learning Scenarios](https://nativepal.app/features/learning-scenarios/): structured Chinese lessons from the alphabet for absolute beginners. ## FAQ ### How long does it take to learn Chinese? The US Foreign Service Institute puts Chinese at roughly 2200 hours of instruction — about 88 weeks full-time — to reach professional working proficiency. Holding a simple conversation comes much sooner: most learners manage it inside the first few months. NativePal shortens the part you control: reading at your level every day, vocabulary that returns before you forget it, and speaking practice that scores your pronunciation instead of just ticking a box. ### What is hardest about Chinese grammar? Four tones plus a neutral tone: Pitch is part of the word: mā, má, mǎ and mà are four different words. Tones cannot be treated as an accent to polish later. No conjugation, aspect particles instead: Verbs never change form. Particles such as 了, 过 and 着 mark completion or experience, which is freeing but leaves learners unsure how to place events in time. Measure words: You cannot say "three books" without a classifier between the number and the noun, and each noun category takes its own: 个, 张, 条, 只 and dozens more. Tone sandhi: Tones change in context. Two third tones in a row turn the first into a second tone, so what you memorise is not always what you say. Topic-comment sentence structure: Chinese often states the topic first and then comments on it, producing sentences that resist a word-for-word English mapping. ### Is Chinese hard for English speakers? Among the hardest for English speakers. There is no alphabet, so each character is learnt individually. Pinyin gets you speaking quickly, but reading fluently usually takes a few years. ### What writing system does Chinese use? Chinese uses chinese characters; roughly 2,500 to 3,000 needed for everyday literacy. There is no alphabet, so each character is learnt individually. Pinyin gets you speaking quickly, but reading fluently usually takes a few years. ### What proficiency levels does NativePal use for Chinese? NativePal levels your Chinese practice with HSK, so reading lessons, vocabulary, and speaking prompts are generated for the level you select rather than a generic average. The ladder runs HSK 1 through to HSK 6. ### Where is Chinese spoken? Chinese is spoken in mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Chinese communities worldwide, with 1.1+ billion speakers worldwide. ### Can I learn Chinese as a complete beginner? Yes. NativePal's Learning Scenarios start from the alphabet, numbers, greetings, and how to introduce yourself, with no prior Chinese assumed. Once those land, reading lessons and vocabulary packs pick up from wherever you are. ### Does NativePal correct my Chinese pronunciation? Yes. You read Chinese aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual vowels and consonants, stress, rhythm and intonation, fluency, and connected speech — not just a pass or fail. The 60-second daily speaking challenge adds freeform practice on top. ### Can I practise speaking Chinese, not just reading it? Yes, and it is the most-used part of the app. Speaking Practice is a teleprompter you read aloud for scored pronunciation feedback, the daily challenge gives you 60 seconds of freeform talk, and you can reply with your voice in any chat or roleplay scenario. ### Is NativePal free for learning Chinese? NativePal is free to start, with a daily allowance across reading, vocabulary, speaking practice, and chats. A premium subscription removes the daily limits and unlocks the longer formats. Prices are set in the App Store and Google Play and vary by region. ### Do I need an account to start learning Chinese? No. NativePal uses anonymous sign-in, so you can start practising Chinese without an email address or social login. ## More - [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html) - [All features](https://nativepal.app/features/) - [Compare NativePal with other apps](https://nativepal.app/compare/) - [llms.txt](https://nativepal.app/llms.txt)