FAQ

Graded readers are a powerful tool for improving your Mandarin skills through extended reading. By engaging with stories at your level, you can naturally pick up vocabulary and grammar in context, making it easier to remember and use them correctly. Unlike flashcards, graded readers show you exactly how and when to use certain words and phrases in real-life situations. They also help you understand cultural nuances and regional expressions, giving you a richer understanding of the language. It’s like an immersive experience in Chinese culture and language, all from the comfort of your home!

The choice between simplified and traditional characters depends on your personal preferences and your region of interest. Simplified characters are used in Mainland China and Singapore, while traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. If your focus is on business or travel in Mainland China, simplified is the way to go. However, if you’re interested in Taiwanese culture or plan to live in Taiwan, learning traditional characters might be more beneficial. Ultimately, both will enhance your Mandarin skills and understanding of Chinese culture. Very advanced learners and educated native speakers will stick to using one but can usually read both.

Both Mainland Mandarin (Putonghua) and Taiwan Mandarin (Guoyu) are dialects of standard Mandarin, much like British English and American English. While they share the same foundational grammar and vocabulary, there are some differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage that reflect their respective cultural and regional backgrounds.

Mainland Mandarin (Putonghua):
Putonghua is the standard form of Mandarin spoken in Mainland China and is used in official settings, education, and media. It features more pronounced retroflex sounds, like zh, ch, and sh, and often incorporates modern slang and loanwords from English. This is the version of Mandarin you’ll encounter in textbooks and exams like the HSK, making it ideal for learners focusing on Mainland China or preparing for standardized tests.

Taiwan Mandarin (Guoyu):
Guoyu is the standard Mandarin spoken in Taiwan, characterized by a softer pronunciation and less emphasis on retroflex sounds. Vocabulary can also differ; for example, “taxi” is “計程車” (jìchéngchē) in Taiwan, compared to “出租车” (chūzūchē) in Mainland China. Taiwanese Mandarin also includes local expressions and influences from other languages spoken in Taiwan. It’s ideal for those interested in Taiwanese culture, media, or living in Taiwan.

Which One Should You Choose?
If you plan to work, study, or travel in Mainland China, or are preparing for the HSK exam, learning Putonghua is recommended. If you’re more interested in Taiwanese culture or planning to live in Taiwan, Guoyu may be more useful. However, both are mutually intelligible, so learning one will still allow you to communicate effectively in the other region. As you advance, you can easily adapt to the regional variations.

Most learners and teachers worldwide use Pinyin as the standard romanization system for Mandarin, making it the more versatile choice. Zhuyin (also known as Bopomofo) is primarily used in Taiwan and is beneficial if you plan to study there or immerse yourself in Taiwanese resources. Unless you’re living in Taiwan and need it for daily life or education, we recommend focusing on Pinyin for its widespread use and accessibility in learning materials. Nonetheless, our Taiwan graded readers include both Pinyin and Zhuyin.

Currently, we don’t offer books for absolute beginners. Our first level of graded readers is designed for novice high level who have already acquired a basic vocabulary of about 500 words and 300 characters. If you’re just starting out, we recommend building your foundation with beginner textbooks, apps, or online courses before diving into our readers.

A good way to determine this is to read a sample page. If you find it overwhelmingly difficult to get through, with many unknown words and complicated structures, it might be too advanced for you. If you can read through it relatively smoothly, understanding most of the content with just a few new words to learn, then it’s at the right level. Our graded readers are designed to be challenging yet accessible, helping you grow your your skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Yes, graded readers can also enhance your speaking and listening skills. Our readers come with audio recordings by native speakers, allowing you to listen to the correct pronunciation and intonation as you read along. This helps improve your listening comprehension and mimicking these sounds can also refine your speaking abilities. Having a lot of language input (such as reading a lot) will naturally help your speaking, as you will build a repertoire of grammar structures and words which you can habitually use.

For our Level 1 graded readers, we recommend knowing at least 500 vocabulary words and 300 characters. This will provide you with a solid foundation to understand the majority of the text. Any words outside this vocabulary range will be supported with clickable popup footnotes, so you can easily learn new words as you read without breaking your flow.

Incorporate graded readers into your daily life as a fun and relaxing way to improve your Mandarin. Read whenever you have a few spare moments—before bed, during your commute, or even while taking a toilet break. Treat it like a hobby, not a chore. The goal is to enjoy the story while picking up language naturally, rather than treating it as a strict study session. This way, you’ll find yourself looking forward to reading and learning every day.

Yes, our graded readers are aligned with the new HSK 3.0 levels, making them a valuable resource for exam preparation. They provide context-rich exposure to the vocabulary and grammar structures you’ll encounter on the test, helping you reinforce what you’ve learned in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Regular reading will not only expand your vocabulary but also improve your comprehension skills, making you more confident for the HSK exams.

Our books are based on the new HSK 3.0 standards for two key reasons:

1. HSK Exam Preparation: Using the HSK 3.0 framework allows learners to effectively prepare for the HSK exams. Our graded readers help you master the vocabulary and grammar required for each level, making them a valuable resource for anyone aiming to take the test.

2. Structured Progression: Even if you’re not studying for the HSK, the new HSK 3.0 provides a well-defined structure of each level. This ensures that our readers progress in difficulty in a systematic way, helping you build your skills gradually and confidently as you move through the levels.

We plan to offer graded readers across all levels of the new HSK 3.0, from beginner to advanced, to support learners at every stage of their Mandarin journey. Our current focus is on finishing level one, with more levels being added in the near future.

We aim to provide a diverse range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, romance, mystery, science fiction, and more. Our goal is to make learning Mandarin enjoyable and engaging by offering something for everyone’s taste and interests. If you have interest in a genre we don't currently offer, please email us at nihao@mandolearn.com.

Yes, audio can be downloaded on each book's product page. This feature allows you to listen along as you read, helping you improve your pronunciation, listening comprehension, and overall fluency.

No, we do not include pinyin for every word in our graded readers. However, for words that fall outside the HSK level of the reader, we provide clickable definitions with both pinyin (and zhuyin for Taiwan readers). This allows you to quickly access the pronunciation and meaning of new vocabulary without disrupting your reading flow.

We are committed to creating high-quality graded readers and work diligently on planning, writing, editing, and formatting every single day. Currently, it takes us about two months to complete each book. We hope to increase the pace of releases in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on our latest books!

Absolutely! We welcome suggestions from our readers. If there’s a specific genre or theme you’d like to see, feel free to contact us with your ideas. We’re always looking for ways to make our content more enjoyable and relevant for our learners.

No, our graded readers are designed to provide an immersive reading experience similar to native-level novels, so we do not include comprehension questions or exercises. Our goal is to make reading in Mandarin feel as natural and enjoyable as possible, encouraging you to learn through context and storytelling.

Currently, we do not offer print versions of our graded readers. This is because we want to provide the best digital experience, including popup footnotes and integrated audio, which are not possible with physical books. Our focus is on creating interactive content that enhances your learning experience.

Yes, our eBooks are compatible with various platforms like iBooks, Kindle, and other e-readers, allowing you to access your graded readers on multiple devices. Once purchased, you can download and read your books on any compatible device of your choice.

Book bought directly through our website will automatically include a discount.

We follow Shopify’s refund policy for digital products, which means that refunds are not available once the product has been downloaded. Please ensure you review your purchase before completing the transaction.

You can purchase our graded readers on Apple Books, Kindle, Google Play, Kobo, and through our own online store.

Download Instructions

You can purchase the book directly from your preferred platform:

1. Apple Books: Download directly from the Apple Books Store and start reading immediately on your Apple devices.
2. Kindle: Available on Amazon Kindle Store. Compatible with all Kindle devices and apps.
3. Google Play: Purchase and read through the Google Play Books app on any device.
4. Kobo: Download from the Kobo Store and enjoy on your Kobo reader or app.

Alternatively, purchase from our website.

1. Purchase: After buying the book on our Shopify store, you will receive a download link immediately.
2. Transfer to Your Device:

• For Apple Devices (iPhone, iPad): Open the download link on your device and choose to open it in the Apple Books app.
• For Kindle Devices: Download the file and use the "Send to Kindle" feature via email or USB transfer.
• For Google Play Books: Upload the file to your Google Play Books account on your computer, and it will sync to your devices.
• For Kobo Devices: Connect your Kobo device to your computer via USB, then drag and drop the file into the “Kobo eReader” folder.
  
  Choose the method that best suits your needs and start enjoying your new book!

You can download the file as many times as you need. There are no restrictions on the number of downloads.

Yes, you can purchase a gift card through our shop, which allows the recipient to choose their own graded reader from our collection.

No, sharing purchased books is a violation of our copyright policy. We kindly ask you to encourage others to buy their own copy. We’ve priced our eBooks affordably, around the cost of a cup of coffee and a bagel, to make them accessible to everyone.

Not at the moment, but it’s something we may consider in the future. Stay tuned!

Yes, you can read the first chapter for free via the book's product page.

If you encounter any issues with your file, please contact us immediately. We’re here to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible, whether it’s a corrupted file, formatting error, or other technical issue. Just reach out to us with your order details, and we’ll provide you with a solution or a replacement file.

If you haven’t received your download link, please try the following steps:

• Check your spam or junk folder in case the email was filtered there.

• If you still can’t find the link, please email us with your order number and email address used for the purchase.

• You can also log into your account on our store to check your order history and download the file directly from there.

If your file isn’t opening, make sure your device supports the file format (ePub). Try opening the file with a different e-reader app or software. If the problem persists, please contact us with details about your device and e-reader app, and we’ll assist you in finding a solution.

Yes, you can transfer your eBook to another device as long as it’s compatible with the file format. For Apple, Google, Kindle and Kobo purchases, you just need to log in to your respective account on the new device and download the book again. For books purchased from our store, use the original download link sent to your email to download the file onto your new device.

Yes, you can download your file again. If you purchased from our store, simply use the download link provided in your email. If the link has expired or you can’t find it, please contact us with your order details, and we’ll resend the link to you. For Apple, Google Kindle and Kobo purchases, log in to your account and redownload the book directly from your library.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or suggestions on how we can improve, please feel free to contact us through our website or email us directly at nihao@mandolearn.com. Your feedback helps us create better content and improve your learning experience.

We value your feedback! You can leave a review directly on the platform where you purchased the book, such as iBooks, Kindle, or our online store. Alternatively, you can email us with your thoughts and suggestions at nihao@mandolearn.com. Your input helps us improve our books and create better resources for all learners.

Yes, we currently offer customer support in English, Spanish and Mandarin. If you have any questions or need assistance in either language, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to help!

We’re based in Taiwan and will always respond within the next business day. If you haven’t heard back from us, it might be because of the time difference—we could be asleep while you’re awake! Rest assured, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you still haven’t received a response after one business day, please check your spam folder or try reaching out again. Thank you for your patience!