Inkstone — learn Mandarin in peace
Inkstone
learn in peace
Start a lesson New words plus review, run through every mode. Pick how long you have.
静坐 Sit and study Tell it how long you have — it builds you a set.
Reading · {{ readPos }}
{{ t.zh }} {{ t.py }}
{{ readEnglish }}
Characters in ink you know; rust-coloured ones are still new.
Diagnostic
Where are you?
Pick a level for a quick check. It sorts the words into solid, shaky, and needs-work — useful fresh, or weekly to track honest progress.
Weak spots
Where the gaps are
By level. “Shaky” means you’ve met it but it isn’t solid yet. Drill those and they’ll firm up.
{{ r.label }}
{{ r.line }}
Extreme
Extreme lessons
Less help, more recall. Each tier strips away a layer of support. They unlock as your mastery grows.
{{ t.name }}
{{ t.desc }}
{{ t.lockText }}
Revision
How it went
{{ revSolidN }} solid · {{ revShakyN }} shaky · {{ revUnknownN }} need work. The weak ones come back in your next lessons.
Solid
{{ w.h }}{{ w.py }}{{ w.en }}
Shaky
{{ w.h }}{{ w.py }}{{ w.en }}
Needs work
{{ w.h }}{{ w.py }}{{ w.en }}
Progress
What you've learned
Every word you've met, by level — the same view your teacher sees.
{{ progTotal }}
words studied
{{ progSentences }}
sentences practiced
{{ progSummary }}
Nothing yet — do a few cards and they'll appear here.
{{ w.lvLabel }} {{ w.h }} {{ w.py }} {{ w.en }} {{ w.famLabel }}
{{ wHanzi }}
{{ tok.t }}
{{ wEnglish }}
{{ cardHint }}
{{ writeFeedback }}
{{ sbInstruction }}
{{ sbEnglish }}
{{ p.t }}
{{ sbAltLabel }}
{{ p.t }}
{{ nudgeText }}
Practice
Practice one skill
Short drills on the words you are learning. Each one works a different muscle.
Test
Test yourself
Honest checks, no flattery. See where you actually stand and firm up the weak spots.
预备
Ready when you are
Take a breath. The audio is loading in the background — begin once you’re settled.
{{ finishLine }}
{{ finishSub }}
Diary
Today's entry
{{ diaryReminder }}
{{ p.label }} {{ p.hint }}
Your writing is saved on this device.
Lessons & grammar
A place to wander
Read and understand. Nothing here keeps score.
{{ t.label }} {{ t.zh }}
{{ w.hanzi }} {{ tok.t }} {{ w.en }}
A few grammar notes
vs.
是 (shì) links two nouns — “I am a teacher.” But before an adjective you don't use 是; you use 很 (hěn): 我很高兴 — “I am happy.” Think of 很 as the quiet glue, not “very.”
了 — something changed
了 (le) marks a new state or a completed action. 我的护照丢了 — “my passport is now lost.” It's the moment the world shifted, not just past tense.
比 — comparing two things
A 比 B + adjective: 这个比那个大 — “this one is bigger than that one.” No “more” needed; 比 carries the comparison by itself.
Edit content
Your own content
Add words and sentences by hand — from your teacher, a list, a whiteboard. Then study just your own material.
{{ impStatus }}
Or paste a whole list
{{ impBulkStatus }}
Add a sentence
{{ sentStatus }}
Nothing here yet. Add words or sentences under Add content, and they’ll show up here so you can study just your own material.
What you’ve added
Words
{{ w.zh }} {{ w.py }} · {{ w.en }}
Sentences
{{ sen.zh }}
{{ sen.en }}