Open Textbook List

Welcome to the Chinese wikibook, a free Chinese textbook on the Standard Mandarin dialect. This page links to lessons using simplified characters (used in mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia). There is also a Traditional Character Version available (used in Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong).

In part one of this online textbook for Mandarin Chinese, you will learn the basics of the Chinese spoken and written language and to have basic conversations about yourself, your family, school, and daily activities.

In part two of this online textbook for Mandarin Chinese, you will build upon the skills you learned in part one. In addition to learning more complex grammar rules and sentence patterns—including how to use past and future tenses—you will focus on differences in formal and informal language. You will learn how to give presentations about your state and your hometown, to respond to questions in a job interview, to go shopping, and to talk about various volunteer activities. In the lessons about the Chinese New Year and visiting China, you will also further your knowledge of Chinese culture.

In Mandarin Chinese III, the theme is “think globally and live locally.” This course provides you with opportunities to expand your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as you learn to use Mandarin more creatively. You will work with short literary texts and authentic materials on familiar topics, such as workplace, travel, and media. You will also continue to learn Chinese characters in traditional and simplified forms.

Mandarin Chinese IV expands upon the theme to “think globally and live locally.” This honor level course provides you with opportunities to expand your Chinese listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills with short literary texts, authentic materials, and media on topics such as pollution, economic issues, and world population concerns. You will continue to learn Chinese characters in traditional and simplified forms.