Learn to speak
Shanghainese.

Give Shanghainese a place in your everyday practice. Start small and build the confidence to join in.

Start learning Shanghainese

Try free starter phrases. Choose Shanghainese when you enter the app.

Coming soon to Google Play

Start with something you can say

Your first Shanghainese phrases

侬好

non hau

Hello

谢谢侬

xia xia non

Thank you

饭吃过了伐

ve chieh ku leh va

Have you eaten?

Examples from the Shanghainese starter lessons in Bolo! Open the app to hear them and practice out loud.

A little practice. Your own voice.

Listen first

Hear a Shanghainese phrase in the app. Follow the written example and its meaning, then listen again.

Try it out loud

Hold the speaking button while you say the phrase. Release it when you finish and review your attempt.

Come back to it

Repeat one useful Shanghainese phrase before adding another. A small routine is easier to keep.

Make it part of your day

Your first week with Shanghainese

Days 1 and 2: make the first phrase familiar. Start with “Hello”. Hear it, try it, and revisit it tomorrow.
Days 3 and 4: add another exchange. Practice “Thank you”. Try recalling it before looking at the written example.
Days 5 through 7: put your voice first. Revisit your Shanghainese starter phrases. Choose the one you would most like to use in a real conversation.

This is a suggested practice routine. Move at the pace that works for you.

Bolo! East Asia app home shown in Cantonese — Real Bolo! East Asia screenshot, shown in Cantonese. Select Shanghainese in the app.

Before you start

Can I start Shanghainese as a beginner?

Yes. Start with the Shanghainese examples above, then choose Shanghainese in Bolo! East Asia. Listen and practice one short phrase at a time.

What if I understand Shanghainese but hesitate to speak?

Use a familiar phrase as your starting point. Say it in the app, listen again, and repeat it before adding something new. You can practice privately at your own pace.

Can I try Shanghainese for free?

Bolo! includes free starter phrases so you can try Shanghainese before deciding whether to buy access to more content. Check the app for current plans.

Which Bolo! app includes Shanghainese?

Shanghainese is included in Bolo! East Asia. Use the store badges on this page, or start in your browser. A grey badge means that store release is coming soon.

Your next Shanghainese conversation starts with one phrase.

Start small. Say it out loud. Come back tomorrow.