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
Tongan: start here
Latin with the fakauʻa ʻ and vowel-length macrons.
Track direction: Pronouns, particles and register before word-for-word translation.
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.
TONGAN / FOUNDATION 01
Lea faka-Tonga
Pronouns, particles and register before word-for-word translation.
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 fakauʻa ʻ and vowel-length macrons. 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. Tongan has ordinary, chiefly and royal vocabulary. Begin with ordinary conversational forms; do not use ceremonial formulas as interchangeable travel phrases.
5 phrases
Basics & communication
Further reading & cultural sources
Pronouns, particles and register before word-for-word translation.
First-person pronouns distinguish whether the listener is included. Kitautolu includes the people addressed; kimautolu excludes them. Number and register add further distinctions, so English we is underspecified.
kitautolu / kimautoluwe including you / we excluding you (plural)
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.
We excluding the listener: ___.
All words · vocabulary quiz
1 / 6 · 0 correctChoose the English meaning.
vai
vaiwater
vaiwater
kaieat / food
kaieat / food
falehouse
falehouse
tahaone
tahaone
uatwo
uatwo
toluthree
toluthree
Between the words
Tongan has ordinary, chiefly and royal vocabulary. Begin with ordinary conversational forms; do not use ceremonial formulas as interchangeable travel phrases.
Mālō e lelei.
HelloTongan has ordinary, chiefly and royal vocabulary. Begin with ordinary conversational forms; do not use ceremonial formulas as interchangeable travel phrases.
Mālō e lelei.
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.Tongan audio is unavailable on this device. All exercises work without audio.