A Letter from the Yoyo Chinese Team

For more than ten years, we’ve been on a journey together—building the most practical, human-centered way for English speakers to learn Mandarin Chinese. What started as a few carefully crafted lessons on YouTube has grown into a global community of learners, a complete curriculum, and now, something we’ve dreamed of for a long time: our very own iOS app. (If you haven't tried it yet, you can download it HERE)

This launch is not just about technology. It’s about listening to your feedback, adapting to how you want to learn, and making sure that no matter where life takes you, Mandarin can always stay within reach.

Big News: The Yoyo Chinese App Has Arrived

We know this has been one of the most requested features for years. You wanted an easier way to study while commuting, traveling, or just when you didn’t want to open your laptop. Now you can.

The new Yoyo Chinese iOS app puts your entire learning journey in your pocket. Pick up where you left off on the website, track your progress, and continue your daily practice without interruption. It’s clean, distraction-free, and designed to help you stay consistent—because we know that’s the hardest part of language learning.

In Chinese, there is a saying:

“工欲善其事，必先利其器” (gōng yù shàn qí shì, bì xiān lì qí qì)
Literal meaning: If a craftsman wishes to do good work, he must first sharpen his tools.
Extended meaning: To succeed, you must first prepare the right tools.

That’s exactly why, after more than a decade of running our website, we built this app. We wanted to give you not just lessons, but a powerful “tool” in your pocket that makes learning Mandarin smoother, smarter, and more accessible.

How the App and Website Work Together

One question we’ve heard is: “Now that there’s an app, do I still need the website?” The truth is, the app and the website complement each other beautifully.

The App was designed for convenience and everyday learning. It also greatly improves the user experience. Some minor issues in the app have been fixed. At the same time, it is ideal for learning on the go—whether you are on the train, in line, or winding down for the night.

The Website remains your hub for in-depth resources and powerful learning tools. Features like the Pinyin Chart and Tone Pairs are interactive tools best suited for larger screens, where you can explore sounds and tones in detail.

At the moment, these tools remain on the website because we want the app to stay laser-focused on structured learning. But we’re listening carefully: if enough learners request them in the app, we’ll explore bringing them to mobile in a way that feels natural.

Another Chinese saying captures our approach:

“一分钱，一分货” (yì fēn qián, yì fēn huò)
Literal meaning: One cent, one good.
Extended meaning: You get what you pay for.

In other words, while good tools matter, it’s the quality of the content that truly makes the difference. At Yoyo Chinese, we’ve always believed that carefully designed lessons, explained with clarity and cultural depth, are what set us apart. This is why both the app and website exist: tools plus content, working together to bring you the best learning experience.

Why Learning Languages Still Matters in the Age of AI

We’d also like to take a step back and reflect on something bigger than this launch. Many people today ask: “With AI translation, chatbots, and voice tools everywhere, is it still worth learning a language?” We believe the answer is a wholehearted yes.

What AI is great at: AI can instantly translate a sentence, generate vocabulary lists, or give you quick pronunciation feedback. If you’re at intermediate or above level, AI can be a helpful tool to practice the language you’re working on.

What AI cannot replace: the cultural understanding, the subtle humor, and the feeling of connecting heart-to-heart with someone in their own language. At present, AI is still unable to systematically guide you through a language from the very beginning or truly understand your unique needs. It cannot act like a real teacher who can spot the weak points you may not even notice yourself.

Think about the moment when you greet a friend in Mandarin and they light up. Or when you finally understand a Chinese movie without subtitles. Or when you travel and can order food, chat with locals, and experience the culture on a deeper level. Those moments are why learning a language matters.

As another Chinese saying reminds us:

“好饭不怕晚” (hǎo fàn bú pà wǎn)
Literal meaning: Good food is not afraid of being served late.
Extended meaning: Something truly worthwhile is worth waiting for.

Yes, our app is arriving later than some might have hoped, in a world already full of apps. But that’s exactly the point—this isn’t just another app. It’s the result of years of feedback, careful design, and thoughtful refinement. We believe the wait was worth it.

That said, we see AI not as a replacement, but as an opportunity. Our team is already exploring ways to integrate AI into Yoyo Chinese—not to take away the joy of learning, but to make it easier. Imagine having AI-powered practice partners, instant corrections, or personalized study paths. The future is exciting, and we’ll be at the front of it, always with the learner in mind.

A Heartfelt Thank You

None of this would be possible without you. Over the years, thousands of learners have written to us about how Yoyo Chinese changed their lives: parents teaching kids, professionals opening doors to new opportunities, or lifelong learners pursuing a dream.

Every message inspires us to keep going. Every subscription, every YouTube comment, and every word of encouragement has built the foundation we stand on today.

This app launch isn’t just our achievement—it’s yours too. You’ve pushed us, supported us, and given us the motivation to create something better, step by step.

We’re so grateful for your trust, your passion, and your commitment to learning Mandarin with us. With the app in your hands, the website as your resource hub, and the future of AI-assisted learning ahead, we’re more excited than ever about what’s to come.

Here’s to the next decade of Yoyo Chinese—and to your journey with Mandarin.

With gratitude and excitement,
The Yoyo Chinese Team