Chinese shelf
Learn Mandarin with every word written four ways
A series for Hindi and English readers. Every word carries Hanzi, pinyin, Devanagari and IPA, with its meaning in English and Hindi — so you can say it right from day one.
Four scripts on one line
Pinyin uses Roman letters, and Roman letters can trick you: pinyin c is not “k”, and x is not “ks”. Devanagari and IPA show the real sound.
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Devanagari | IPA | English | Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | नी³·हाओ³ | [ni³·xau³] | hello | नमस्ते |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | शिए⁴·शिए | [ɕjɛ⁴·ɕjɛ] | thank you | धन्यवाद |
| 中国人 | Zhōngguórén | चोंग¹·क्वो²·रन² | [ʈʂʊŋ¹·kwo²·ʐən²] | Chinese person | चीनी व्यक्ति |
Don’t read Hindi?
You can use the books with pinyin and IPA alone. Readers who know Devanagari get the closest Hindi sound under every word as a bonus.
Reading order
The series follows the new HSK 3.0 syllabus in force from July 2026.
1Beginner · Pre-HSKStart here
Foundations of Chinese
Sounds, tones, strokes and the 64 key radicals.
A beginner’s guide to Mandarin sounds, strokes and radicals, with every word in pinyin, Devanagari and IPA: the four tones, the full syllable chart, the rules of stroke order and the 64 radicals that unlock the dictionary.
2HSK 1
HSK 1 Hanzi Workbook
All HSK 1 characters: stroke order, practice grids, 2,480 sentences.
A writing workbook for all 248 characters of HSK Level 1 (2026 syllabus): stroke order, practice grids, 1,313 words and 2,480 sentences in Hanzi, pinyin, Devanagari and IPA, with English and Hindi meanings.
3HSK 1
HSK 1 Grammar and Reading
Every HSK 1 grammar point on two pages, 15 readings, 129 drills.
Every grammar point of HSK Level 1 (2026 syllabus) on a two-page spread, with 129 drills and answers, 15 real-life readings and all 300 Level 1 words in Hanzi, pinyin, Devanagari and IPA.
Next in the series
Books for the higher HSK levels are being written now, with the same four-script treatment.
Questions about the Chinese books
What is special about the Chinese books?
Every word is written four ways — Hanzi, pinyin, Devanagari and IPA — with its meaning in English and Hindi. Hindi readers can use sounds they already know, such as the puff of air in “kh” and “ph”, to pronounce Mandarin correctly from day one.
Do I need to read Hindi to use the Chinese books?
No. The explanations are in English, and every word has pinyin and IPA. The Devanagari line and the Hindi meaning are an extra for readers who know them.
Which HSK syllabus do the Chinese books follow?
The new HSK 3.0 syllabus (levels 1–9) that is in force from July 2026. HSK 1 Hanzi Workbook covers all Level 1 characters, and HSK 1 Grammar and Reading covers every Level 1 grammar point and all 300 Level 1 words.
In which language are the books written?
All books are written in English. The Chinese books also give every meaning in Hindi.