LANGUAGE
From written signs to everyday conversation.
Mandarin Chinese / Taiwan
Bopomofo / Zhuyin
注音符號A set of phonetic symbols used to show Mandarin pronunciation. Syllables are assembled from an initial, a medial or final, and a tone.
The first version was created in 1913 and released in 1918. It remains a practical reading, dictionary, and keyboard tool in Taiwan.
- SYMBOLS
- 37
- TONES
- 5
- ALSO CALLED
- Zhuyin / Zhuyin Fuhao
Initials
21Medials
3Finals
13Tones
5PUBLISHED · FOUNDATION 01 · 15 SEPTEMBER 2026
Samoan: start here
Latin with the koma liliu glottal stop ʻ and macrons for long vowels.
Track direction: Articles, pronouns and formal versus informal speech.
Published below: one grammar rule, worked example, exercise with an answer, introductory words and expressions. Planned next: sound contrasts, wider grammar and guided reading/listening. This is the start of the course.
SAMOAN / FOUNDATION 01
Gagana Sāmoa
Articles, pronouns and formal versus informal speech.
The words for everyday life.
Find a situation, read the phrase, or show the native text. Learn common replies as well as questions.
Pronunciation & how to use these phrases
Latin with the koma liliu glottal stop ʻ and macrons for long vowels. Device speech, when available, is only a model for that installed voice; historical and unsupported varieties have no automatic voice here.
Published: a first rule with a worked example and answer, introductory vocabulary, and basic expressions. Next: sound contrasts → inflection and sentence patterns → connected reading/listening → independent use. Fa‘asāmoa includes social responsibilities and respect expressed through language. Formal speech and everyday colloquial pronunciation differ; learn both from speakers rather than treating one as careless.
6 phrases
Basics & communication
Further reading & cultural sources
Articles, pronouns and formal versus informal speech.
The common singular definite article is le; the corresponding plural definite article is written as a separate o before the noun. Distinguish this article from other uses of o.
le fale / o falethe house / the houses
Explain why the answer follows the rule. Then return to the example and identify the unchanged part. This first unit is published; the full grammar sequence remains in development.
Try it yourself
1 / 1 · 0 correctApply the rule.
the house: ___ fale
All words · vocabulary quiz
1 / 6 · 0 correctChoose the English meaning.
fale
falehouse
falehouse
vaiwater
vaiwater
meaʻaifood
meaʻaifood
tasione
tasione
luatwo
luatwo
toluthree
toluthree
Between the words
Fa‘asāmoa includes social responsibilities and respect expressed through language. Formal speech and everyday colloquial pronunciation differ; learn both from speakers rather than treating one as careless.
Talofa.
HelloFa‘asāmoa includes social responsibilities and respect expressed through language. Formal speech and everyday colloquial pronunciation differ; learn both from speakers rather than treating one as careless.
Talofa.
A short foundation is not a complete conversation course. Follow the named language variety and source recordings.
Read the situation
1 / 1 · 0 correctRecall the first expression or reading form.
Practice scores last for this visit.Samoan audio is unavailable on this device. All exercises work without audio.