Amazing  
By: sexysoccerstud11 - Mar 9, 2009
Version: 1.1
Ok well I am perfectly happy with the app. It's amazing and I can learn easily with the audible spoken words. The thing is that it takes a while to pronounce the word and I know it's so that you can have time to say it before it pronounces it but I liked it better when it said the word right after clicking the button. Just take away the delay or atleast make it to where we can choose if we want a delay or not and I will be 150% satisfied. I recomend to annyone wanting to use their iPod/iPhone to it's maximum potential!!!!!

Good, not great yet  
By: insidethefarside - Mar 5, 2009
Version: 1.2
I got this application for free a few months back, and it's been good. I think now that there should be some sort of update though. First of all, I take a Chinese class, and I know some of the phrases already, but my Chinese teachers, who are actually from china, say some of these phrases differently. I don't know which one is correct. Secondly, it is limited vocabulary, and I know that is quite a bit, but as always, would love more phrases. A built in dictionary with examples of how the words could be used and pronunciation (variable speed) would be great. Please try and include these in your next update!

Accurate, works, useful!  
By: Tsuimonsta - Feb 12, 2009
Version: 1.2
Accuracy: It's very accurate! My father is a mandarin speaker and is fluent at it. He verified every single phrase for correctness and he even said that he recommends this app to many people! Functionality: It's easy to use and catagorized properly. So there is no more flipping through pages (that's for paper books...) Useful: Planning on a trip to PRC China? Use this as your next guidebook/phrasebook so that you yourself won't be left out like a regular tourist without this app!

So cool!  
By: iLoveMyPhone - Jul 11, 2008
Version: 1.0
This is a GREAT application! And it's free :-) I love that it not only says the phrase (native chinese speaker) but it also has the phrase written in classic chinese characters and in romanization. The phrase is read at normal speaking rate so it may seem fast to beginners (like myself). I think it's great that the speaking is at a normal rate though. You could easily show someone the phrase and let them listen to it if they don't understand you. This is perfect for travel! I love it! Thank you Lonely Planet!

Great phrasebook  
By: cougar99 - 11-Jul-2008
Version: 1.0
I'm off to China soon so I jumped at the chance to download Lonely Planet's new talking phrasebook and it's cool. I've liked their phrasebooks in the past, but this takes things a step further - you can actually hear the words. And since Mandarin is such a tonal language, this is invaluable - the next best thing to taking lessons. Like the phrasebooks, it's arranged logically so you can find phrases quickly, and the voice starts talking the instant you touch the screen so hopefully there won't be any awkward silences when I'm trying to communicate.

Very robust phrasebook for Mandarin learners  
By: Tom Tang - 14-Jul-2008
Version: 1.0
This is definitely a must if you are going travelling, or are in a Mandarin Chinese-oriented community and need some guidance.
Being Chinese myself, I will attest that the pronunciation of the speaker is impeccable, and is very proper. This is excellent if you are trying to learn to speak the language with the proper inflections. The speaker is male and there is pinying to go along with the words.
The list of phrases is very robust and from what I have seen, have been tailored for many different situations. These range from simple questions, to more complicated sentences. You can sort through the phrases by category, or go through the search function and find the one you are looking for.
What I think is sorely lacking in this audiobook is an option to view simplified Chinese or tradiational Chinese since the audiobook only offers simplified Chinese. This may be more troublesome if you are travelling somewhere where simplified is not used regularly (eg. Taiwan).
If you are travelling to mainland China, or just need some Chinese phrases to complement yourself in a situation, or just need a speaker to enunciate some phrases for you, this audiobook will suit your needs perfectly.

Best Mandarin app. to date BUT...  
By: Weishida - 15-Jul-2008
Version: 1.0
I agree that the audio quality needs to be better.
There's a LOT of phrases here and Lonley Planet have chosen an audio compression to save memory size which is JUST on the edge of workable to my ear. I'd rather they resample audio at twice the quality and we had a 6 MB app instead of 3 MB.
Compare the iLingo - Mandarin (£5.99!) app. whose audio is better quality but the range of phrases and interface is not as good as Lonely Planet.
Out of the two, I'd still opt for the Lonley Planet, even with "lossy" audio.
I'd also recommend the Lingolook - Chinese. Again better quality audio than Lonely Planet. Not as many phrases but great flashcards.

All quite good  
By: Quacker Oatmeal: Yum Yum! ♥ - Oct 23, 2008
Version: 1.1
speaking from the point of view of a native speaker (it was the first language I ever learned. i barely knew any english until i was about 6), these are all very accurate. but the guy speaking has a very monotone voice. in chinese, the tones make the words what they are. if you don't say it right, someone could perceive it to mean something entirely different. but other than that, the phrases are accurate and formal enough to use with elders and officers. very great for a tourist and for pure fun, but for any other reason, say, living in china or a long term visit, i suggest a professional interpreter or learn the language itself.

Needs Traditional Characters and Scalable Text  
By: Laozi - Jul 18, 2008
Version: 1.0
Ability to choose traditional characters or addition of a traditional character line would make this app much more useful. Also the content text is too small for folks over 40 to read. It would really help to be able to zoom in by 'pinching'. Other than the strange "Tools" category title, the organization is very intuitive. It's great that Mandarin is free, but I'd rather have lower prices for the other LP phrase books. Still waiting for an EC/CE dictionary with both Mandarin and Cantonese audio.

Very good so long as...  
By: mac916 - 20-Sep-2008
Version: 1.1
You are learning Mandarin then this is fantastic, to be fair unless you have some idea what they are saying when they answer you, then the only phrase you really need is "do you speak English" :-) that should be a hot key or short cut. Since it will be the most used. Maybe make it a favourite along with others. No point knowing how to say "what do you recommend off the menu" if you have no idea what they say back to you."mmm yes please, that sounds lovely, I will have the dog for starters followed by monkey brains for the main and endangered tiger for desert, thank you" :-) ok, just joking but you get my drift. However, if you are learning Mandarin, then this is an excellent tool. One day in the future it will no doubt be able to interpret the response and relay it back to you in English or another language. Until then use this app. It's very good, unlike Dog which is for life not as a main course:-) And yes, I know, it's the Koreans that mainly eat dog, not the Chinese but you get my point.

Great Free App but...  
By: Aerisida - 25-Oct-2008
Version: 1.1
This is a great free app for Mandarian. I had no problems with it crashing or glitching like other Apps. However, I noticed immediately (being Taiwanese and speaking Mandarian on a daily basis) that the grammar used is a little...old fashioned and off in the sense of locality. No offense, but I had to show it to my mother...and she agreed. There are a lot of Mandarian words (not the greetings) used in this App which apparently were popular decades ago and not so much now. An example would be on the word 'Police Station' the word used in this app I didn't even recognize...apparently it's because the word used in this App would have been more popular on Taiwan 20 years back. While China would have used a different word now. Locality could be a minor issue as each Mandarian-speaking country has a way saying some words or creating slang for certain words. Also, on the directions catergory the words 'left or right turn' this App uses 'guai' for turn...not exactly the most popular word nowadays. Of course, speaking with the older generations should be no problem. But I just want to put it out there to non-Mandarian speaking people using the App. Overall, it's a very useful App with a pleasing interface!

well done, and useful  
By: bc.mac - 25-Oct-2008
Version: 1.1
this is really well done - even if you don't need a Mandarin phrasebook, you get a good feel of what to expect in the other Lonely Planet language apps, so therefore this really succeeds as a fully functioning demo. there seems to be a pretty wide selection of phrases for various common situations, and the sound and volume of the speakers is good. The hierarchal organization of phrases makes it easy to find the one you want in a couple clicks.

Great layout easy to follow  
By: Miss_mcc - 30-Nov-2009
Version: 1.4.1
I am half Chinese and it's helped me facilitate learning! Voices and tone sounds AccurAte thx for a great app

Great app  
By: Quiksilver4Eyes - 28-Dec-2008
Version: 1.2
I got it for free, not worth £5.99 though. Is a great app though.

Lash  
By: riddlesticks - 13-Dec-2008
Version: 1.2
The lurgan loons are in town

Found the sound control  
By: Robb!!! - 06-Dec-2008
Version: 1.2
Wow this is amazing and it's free I found the sound control but it only works while the voice is playing

Mandarin app 9 out 10  
By: p wilky - 24-Nov-2008
Version: 1.2
Excellent Application just like the spanish app but this one is free and no adds bargin get this app why it is free go and watch the video on youtube

Awsome product  
By: Dottie.69 - 19-Nov-2008
Version: 1.2
This will be a real help in China

awsome  
By: Caz091 - 25-Oct-2008
Version: 1.1
Uses the iPod really well. Has some great fetures and is very easy to use. Even uses the accelerometer! Very high quality sound bites. A must own for anyone going to china or anyone remotely curious about the language.

Great  
By: Yenoom - 16-Oct-2008
Version: 1.1
Wow - wish I had it 3 years ago when I was in china Fantastic