Word-building board game
Pinyin Tiles
Combine Pinyin initials and finals, choose the correct tones and discover the possible meanings behind every valid play.
Learning withLiANNPinyin Playtest
Guest study · two complete games
Multilingual education through entertainment.
Learning with LiANN creates playful experiences that help people explore language, sound and meaning. We turn practice into discovery through pattern recognition, clear feedback and play.
Meet the games
Two ways to play with Mandarin sound and meaning
Pinyin-unit crossword
Pinyin Puzzle
Complete a crossword built from Pinyin sound units, then use tones and meaning clues to distinguish Mandarin words that share the same written letters.
Across words
wánshàn — (of systems, facilities etc.) comprehensive
12 ptsjìzhu — to remember
10 ptswèishēngjiān — bathroom
16 ptsyùbào — forecast
11 ptsxiǎnshì — to show
11 ptsyǎnchàng — to sing (for an audience)
12 ptsshìjì — century
7 ptsyánsè — colour
12 ptsjiàoshì — classroom
10 ptsduìmiàn — opposite; across (the street etc.)
12 ptsyùjì — to forecast
8 ptsjìxù — to continue; to proceed with; to go on with
10 pts
Down words
shìshíshàng — in fact
15 ptsyīntiān — cloudy day; overcast sky
13 ptswánjù — plaything
12 ptsshìbùshì — is or is not (used to form yes-no questions)
12 ptsànzhào — according to; in accordance with; on the basis of
10 ptswēixiǎn — danger
12 ptswàidì — parts of the country other than where one is
13 ptsyǎnchànghuì — vocal recital or concert
18 ptsliánxùjù — TV series
19 ptsshèjì — to design; to plan
9 ptsjiàoshī — teacher
11 ptsshíyànshì — laboratory
12 pts
Solve interlocking words across and down. Alternating colours help you trace each word across and down
Two-game perception playtest
Does the ending feel clear in both games?
Play each game once. We are testing whether their shared endgame language and atmosphere feel clear—not your Mandarin ability.
Your two sessions
Play both, in your assigned order
Your anonymous study key consistently assigns Pinyin Tiles → Pinyin Puzzle, with novice mode, cadence appearance and static atmosphere. It links the two game responses without identifying you.
Word-building board game
Pinyin Tiles
Build Mandarin words from Pinyin sound pieces, choose their tones and reveal possible English meanings. For this study, complete one guest-solo match using the setup assigned above.
Pinyin-unit crossword
Pinyin Puzzle
Solve one 11 × 11 Pinyin-unit crossword in which identical letters can carry different tones and meanings. Correctness, hints and scoring remain unchanged during the study.
Requirements
- Complete one Pinyin Tiles match and one Pinyin Puzzle crossword.
- Use the same device for both games; no account or personal details are required.
- Use the order assigned on this page, then answer five questions after each game from memory.
- Submit each survey on its result screen. No files need to be downloaded or returned.
Goals
- The approach to the end is noticeable without feeling prematurely urgent.
- “End imminent” feels clearly closer than “Approaching end”.
- It is clear why one player is ahead, and both game boards remain fully visible.
- The game communicates the same information without relying on colour or animation.
Why take part
How your playtest helps
Your experience will directly shape how Pinyin Tiles and Pinyin Puzzle guide future players through the final stages of a game.
Clearer endings
Your answers show whether players can tell when each game is nearly over—and understand why.
Better timing
Your sense of pace helps us tune warnings so they arrive when they are useful, not too early or too late.
Fairer, more accessible play
Your feedback helps us make the same endgame cues understandable without relying only on colour or animation.