Knowing Pinyin and individual characters does not mean you can follow a hotpot order. Read and hear familiar scenes to connect those words with their use. Comprehensible input means material you can mostly understand.
Bubblegum helps when finding suitable reading takes too much time. Poppy, its AI tutor, writes lessons for your level and interests. Audio, dictionary, grammar help, her answers and review stay together.
What Comprehensible Input Looks Like
About one unfamiliar word per sentence, while meaning stays clear.
Beginners need short, mostly familiar sentences; advanced readers can infer words from longer contexts. This is flexible, not a quota or research-proven optimum. An isolated list of the 500 most common words gives meanings, but does not teach their use or help you catch them in conversation on its own. Read and hear sentences too.
Your Roadmap by Level
Find the description that sounds like you below. These choices are starting points; keep material only while you can follow its meaning.
- Absolute Beginner
I can't read pinyin yet.
Use Pinyin if Mandarin sounds are new; Zhuyin is another offered option for Taiwan Mandarin.
Pinyin course - Level 1
I'm just starting out and can't read much yet
Read and hear short dialogues with English and Pinyin help.
Try a reading - Level 2
I can read basic characters and simple sentences
Read with English hidden; check words that block the meaning.
Try a reading - Level 3
I follow conversations on familiar topics
Hide reading help to recognise characters; show it when needed.
Try a reading - Level 4
I understand most content but miss some nuance
Try a familiar drama scene; check Chinese captions.
Try a reading - Level 5
I read complex topics but rare words slow me down
Read familiar news or web novels; check confusing words.
Try a reading - Level 6
I read at near-native level
Read longer novels and reports for pleasure.
Move up when reading feels easy; move down when lookups interrupt the meaning. If you are learning 
Taiwan Mandarin, the plan is the same with traditional characters and zhuyin, and Bubblegum's Taiwan Mandarin lessons offer readings at the levels currently available.
Try 3–5 hours a week, with sessions of at least 15–30 minutes.
Try It on a Real Lesson
This is an actual Level 3 reading. Hide English, then show it when you need help.
Read a Real Level 3 Lesson
A short reading with English meaning.
在北京餐馆点菜
Xiaoming and Xiaohong are ordering food at an old Beijing restaurant.
Let's order roast duck or zhajiang noodles.
I want to have roast duck, but Xiaowang hasn't tried it.
Then let's order a portion of roast duck.
Waiter, we'd like a portion of roast duck.
Alright, please wait a moment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensible Input
Must I learn characters first?
Use Pinyin reading help while characters are unfamiliar; hide it when you want to practise recognising them.
Do C-dramas count?
Yes, when you follow the meaning. Choose a shorter, easier scene when you cannot.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
