Reading · Beginner to intermediate
Guess the Sound: Chinese Phonetic Components in Practice
Use sound components like 青, 马, 方 and 包 to read characters you have never seen


- Level:
- Beginner to intermediate · HSK 1–3
- Format:
- Workbook · PDF · 33 pages · US Letter (prints on A4)
- Price:
- Free · free with a saymei account · updated Oct 8, 2026
Download the free PDF: create a free SayMei account on this page, and we'll email you a copy too.
妈、吗、骂都有“马”。 · Mā, ma, mà dōu yǒu "mǎ". · 妈, 吗 and 骂 all contain 马.
By the end you can
- Spot the sound component hiding inside a new character
- Guess its reading from families like 青, 马, 方, 包, 交 and 反
- Know when a guess is safe and when the sound has drifted
What’s inside
- Unit 1: Learn: Meaning Part + Sound Part
- Unit 2: Learn: The 马 mǎ Family · Practice: Practise the 马 Family
- Unit 3: Learn: The 青 qīng Family · Practice: Practise the 青 Family
- Unit 4: Learn: The 方 fāng Family · Practice: Practise the 方 Family
- Unit 5: Learn: The 包 bāo Family · Practice: Practise the 包 Family
- Story 1: Lin Hao Reads the Weather · Practice: Check Your Reading
- Reference: How Close Is the Sound?
- Unit 6: Learn: The 巴 and 门 Families · Practice: Practise 巴 and 门
- Unit 7: Learn: The 工 gōng Family · Practice: Practise the 工 Family
- Unit 8: Learn: The 交 and 反 Families · Practice: Practise 交 and 反
- Unit 9: Learn: 占, 兆 and 少: Bigger Shifts · Practice: Practise Bigger Shifts
- Story 2: Chen Xiaoyu Orders Buns · Practice: Check Your Reading
- Unit 10: Learn: When the Guess Fails
- Reference: Family Quick Chart
- Cards: Family Flashcards
- Review: Review: Read the Sign
Who it’s for
Beginners who know a little Mandarin and want to use it in real conversations.
Frequently asked questions
Is this workbook free?
Yes. The whole 33-page PDF is free, and the first two pages are on this page to look at before you download. There's no card and nothing to pay.
Do I need a SayMei account?
Yes, to download the PDF, and the account is free: sign up with Google, Apple or your email address. With it we email you a copy of the workbook, keep every workbook you download on your account on all your devices, save your place in the free online practice, and you can take a free lesson with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor.
How do I print it?
The PDF is US Letter size. On A4 paper, choose "Fit to page" (or "Scale to fit") in the print dialog so nothing is cut off. Print the whole workbook or only the pages you need; colour looks best, and black and white works too.
Can I print copies for my class?
Yes. Print as many copies as you like for your own class or family. To share it, send this page: everyone can download their own copy.
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Version 2026-10 · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · Report a correction