Introduction
Welcome to Chapter 1 of our Learn Mandarin for Kids series! Whether you're a parent, teacher, or little learner, this post will help children start their journey into Mandarin Chinese with fun, friendly content. In this chapter, we’ll learn how to say “Hello” in Chinese, understand basic tones, and practice simple greetings.
1. Say Hello in Mandarin – 你好 (nǐ hǎo)
The most common way to say “Hello” in Mandarin is:
你 (nǐ) = You
好 (hǎo) = Good
Put together, it literally means “You good,” which is a polite way to greet someone!
Try it with your child:
👧👦 “Let’s say 你好 to mommy and daddy!”
2. Basic Mandarin Tones for Kids
Mandarin uses four tones, and tones can change the meaning of a word. Let’s introduce them gently:
🎵 The word ma can mean different things depending on the tone:
mā (妈) – Mom
má (麻) – Hemp
mǎ (马) – Horse
mà (骂) – Scold
👂 Let kids listen and mimic. It’s okay if they don’t get it right away—it’s all about exposure and fun!
3. Fun Greeting Practice
Help your child remember 你好 with fun activities:
👋 Hello Game: Say 你好 to different stuffed toys or family members.
🎨 Coloring Printable: Download a free 你好 coloring sheet from Little Rainbow Artwork.
🎵 Sing-Along: Make up a short “Hello Song” using 你好 and dance along!
4. Bonus Word: Thank You – 谢谢 (xiè xie)
Let’s add one more word for polite kids: 🗣 谢谢 (xiè xie) – Thank you
Encourage your child to say 谢谢 after receiving something to practice manners and Mandarin!
Conclusion
That’s it for Chapter 1! Your child has already learned to say hello and thank you in Chinese, plus got a little taste of tones. This simple start builds confidence and creates a strong base for future lessons.
📥 Ready to keep learning?
👉 Download our free Mandarin greeting worksheets and coloring pages at Little Rainbow Artwork.
✨ Stay tuned for Chapter 2, where we’ll learn how to say your name and ask “What’s your name?” in Chinese!
