Learn to speak Chinese from day one
You don't need to master characters before you speak. TalkBuddy shows pinyin for every phrase and has you say real Mandarin out loud with a patient AI buddy.
Free to download on the App Store.
Why speaking-first works for Chinese
Pinyin for every phrase
Characters always come with pinyin and audio, so you can pronounce anything from your very first lesson.
Get the tones by ear
Hear each phrase in a natural voice and repeat it out loud — the fastest way to make Mandarin tones feel natural.
Everyday situations
Greetings, ordering food, asking prices — practical Mandarin for real life and travel.
How TalkBuddy works
Meet the words in context
Every lesson opens with the words you'll actually use. Hear each phrase in a natural voice, slow it down, and say it out loud — so it already feels familiar by the time you speak.
Pair each word with its meaning
Right after you learn them, lock the words in with a quick match game. Tap a word, then its meaning — fast, satisfying, and the surest way to make them stick.
Then train your ear
Hear a word and pick what it means. Listen & choose tunes your ear to the sounds of the language before you ever have to produce them yourself.
This is where the learning happens
Now put it together — talk to your AI buddy out loud about a real situation. It listens, responds naturally, and hands you the exact line to try next. No scripts, no judgment, no fear of mistakes.
Your words. Your conversations. Your progress.
Every phrase you learn and use is saved with its pronunciation, organized by topic. Over time, your library becomes a collection of the language you've actually learned to use.
Learn Chinese — your questions
Do I need to learn characters first?
No. Every phrase shows pinyin and audio, so you can start speaking immediately and pick up characters over time.
How does it handle tones?
You hear each phrase spoken naturally and repeat it, so you train your ear and mouth on tones together.
Is this Mandarin or Cantonese?
TalkBuddy teaches Mandarin (standard Chinese), the most widely spoken variety.
Is it good for a trip to China or Taiwan?
Yes — free-talk lets you rehearse airport, restaurant, and shopping conversations before you go.
Also learn
Start speaking Chinese
TalkBuddy is out on iPhone. Download it free and start speaking today.