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
Swahili: start here
Latin alphabet; vowels a e i o u are comparatively stable.
Track direction: Noun classes and the subject–tense–verb template.
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.
SWAHILI / FOUNDATION 01
Kiswahili
Noun classes and the subject–tense–verb template.
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 alphabet; vowels a e i o u are comparatively stable. 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. Greeting exchanges matter. Shikamoo is a respectful greeting to an elder in contexts where that convention is used; it is not the default greeting to everyone.
6 phrases
Basics & communication
Further reading & cultural sources
Noun classes and the subject–tense–verb template.
A basic affirmative present verb has subject prefix + -na- + stem. With soma (read/study), ni-na-soma means I am reading. The subject prefix is required even if an independent pronoun is present.
ninasoma / unasoma / anasomaI / you singular / he or she is reading
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.
ni + na + soma = ___
All words · vocabulary quiz
1 / 6 · 0 correctChoose the English meaning.
maji
majiwater
majiwater
chakulafood
chakulafood
kitabubook
kitabubook
vitabubooks
vitabubooks
ndiyoyes
ndiyoyes
hapanano
hapanano
Between the words
Greeting exchanges matter. Shikamoo is a respectful greeting to an elder in contexts where that convention is used; it is not the default greeting to everyone.
Habari?
How are things?Greeting exchanges matter. Shikamoo is a respectful greeting to an elder in contexts where that convention is used; it is not the default greeting to everyone.
Habari?
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.Swahili audio is unavailable on this device. All exercises work without audio.