Liao: Speak Chinese
3 minutes of Mandarin a day
About
Practice speaking Mandarin daily with AI-powered conversations. Focus on real-time speaking, receive personalized feedback based on your mistakes, and learn phrases for different social contexts. Pinyin-first approach makes it accessible for beginners.
What's New in Liao
2.5
August 17, 2026
Update 2.5 is finally here! Major changes like Global Leaderboard, 3 day trial journey, and improved onboarding experience. Minor fixes: quality of life changes, bug fixes.
MoreSubscription plans
Liao Premium Monthly
Friends, shared streaks, and unlimited feedback.
FAQ
How does Liao help me speak Chinese?
Liao provides a 3-minute daily AI-powered conversation practice. You speak on real topics, and the app shows you what you said, how a native speaker would say it, and explains the differences. This focuses on improving your spoken fluency through consistent, short practice sessions.
Do I need to know Chinese characters to use Liao?
No, Liao is pinyin-first, meaning all phrases are presented with pinyin to help you start speaking immediately. Chinese characters are available underneath as a reference for when you are ready to learn them.
What kind of lessons does Liao offer?
Liao's lessons are unique as they are built from your actual mistakes during conversations. Instead of generic lessons, you learn one thing well based on your personal speaking errors, making the learning process highly relevant and effective.
Can Liao teach me different ways to say things?
Yes, Liao teaches you three ways to express the same idea: natural for daily conversation, professional for formal settings like interviews, and casual for informal communication with friends. This helps you adapt your language to different social contexts.
What are the subscription options for Liao Premium?
Liao offers several subscription plans: Liao Premium Weekly at $3.99/week, Liao Premium Monthly at $12.99/month, and Liao Premium Yearly at $89.99/year. These plans likely unlock additional features or content beyond the free offering.
How often is Liao updated?
The latest version of Liao is 2.5, and it was last updated on August 17, 2026. This indicates a relatively active development cycle, with updates occurring approximately every 2-3 weeks based on the release date and last updated date.
What devices does Liao support?
Liao is currently supported on iPhones. The app is designed for mobile use, allowing you to practice speaking Mandarin on the go.
Is Liao suitable for absolute beginners?
Yes, Liao is designed for beginners with its pinyin-first approach and 3-minute daily practice goal. It helps those who can read more than they can say by focusing on immediate speaking practice and building conversational confidence from day one.