Languages, the way they're really spoken

Don't study a language. Overhear it.

Short, real conversations from everyday life: at the market, in an auto, at a family lunch. Hear each one in a language you know, then in the one you're learning, then every word explained.

Coming soon to Google Play Hear a scene

Coming soon · Android first, iPhone next

62: everyday scenes
31: free forever
3: levels, each with a test

A Tamil conversation playing in Shinar, with Tamil script under each line

Shinar home screen for the Hindi course with the next scene

Try it now

Hear it for yourself.

This is the start of a real scene from the app. Pick a language, play it in English, then in that language. Then open the meaning of each word. That's the whole method.

Learn

RaviCustomer

LakshmiVendor

How much is a kilo of these tomatoes?
Ee tomatolu kilo entha?ఈ టమాటోలు కిలో ఎంత?
ee thesetomatolu tomatoeskilo kiloentha how much
Ye tamatar kitne rupaye kilo hain?ये टमाटर कितने रुपये किलो हैं?
ye thesetamatar tomatoeskitne how manyrupaye rupeeskilo kilohain are
Indha thakkaali kilo evvalavu?இந்த தக்காளி கிலோ எவ்வளவு?
indha thesethakkaali tomatoeskilo kiloevvalavu how much
Forty rupees a kilo.
Kilo nalabhai rupayalu.కిలో నలభై రూపాయలు.
kilo kilonalabhai fortyrupayalu rupees
Chaalis rupaye kilo.चालीस रुपये किलो।
chaalis fortyrupaye rupeeskilo kilo
Kilo naarpadhu rooba.கிலோ நாப்பது ரூபா.
kilo kilonaarpadhu fortyrooba rupees
That's too much. Give it for thirty.
Chaala ekkuva. Muppai ki ivvandi.చాలా ఎక్కువ. ముప్పై కి ఇవ్వండి.
chaala very / tooekkuva much / moremuppai thirtyki forivvandi please give
Bahut zyada hai. Tees mein de do.बहुत ज़्यादा है। तीस में दे दो।
bahut veryzyada too muchtees thirtymein forde do give
Romba jaasthi. Muppadhukku kudunga.ரொம்ப ஜாஸ்தி. முப்பதுக்கு குடுங்க.
romba veryjaasthi too muchmuppadhukku for thirtykudunga give
Not possible, sir. Thirty-five, final.
Kudaradu sir. Muppai aidu, final.కుదరదు సార్. ముప్పై ఐదు, ఫైనల్.
kudaradu not possiblemuppai thirtyaidu five
Nahin ho payega, sir. Paintees, final.नहीं हो पाएगा सर। पैंतीस, फ़ाइनल।
nahin notho payega will be possiblepaintees thirty-five
Mudiyaadhu saar. Muppathanju, final.முடியாது சார். முப்பத்தஞ்சு, ஃபைனல்.
mudiyaadhu not possiblesaar sirmuppathanju thirty-five

How it works

Three passes. Then it clicks.

1
A language you know
You hear the whole scene in a language you already speak, so you know the story.
2
Then your new language
The same scene, spoken naturally by locals. Because you know what's happening, the words land.
3
Every word, explained
Tap any word to hear it again and see what it means. No grammar tables.

Courses

Which language will you overhear?

62 scenes, 11 kinds of everyday

The language you'll actually hear.

Bargaining for tomatoes, catching an auto, a cousin's wedding, a first day at work. Each scene has its own illustration and its own two voices.

**At the vegetable market**Beginner · Free

**Buying a train ticket**Beginner · Free

**Dinner at a friend's home**Intermediate · Free

BEGINNERFirst Words

SHINARBEGINNER

INTERMEDIATEStreet Smart

SHINARINTERMEDIATE

ADVANCEDTamil Pro

SHINARADVANCED

Level tests

Earn it. Then show it off.

Each level ends with a 15-question listening test. Score 12 and you earn a medal you can spin and share, open the next level and get two Pro scenes free.

Beginner: First Words
Intermediate: Street Smart
Advanced: Telugu Pro, Hindi Pro, Tamil Pro…

Your listening buddy

Meet Shinu.

A small lamb with big headphones. Shinu listens along, cheers when you finish a scene and nudges you when you're close.

Hello
Listening
Thinking
You did it
So close
See you tomorrow

Pricing

Start free. Stay as long as you like.

Free

₹0

31 full scenes
All three level tests and badges
Two taster scenes in every level
No ads, ever

Shinar Pro

₹799/year

or ₹149 a month · ₹1,499 once for life

All 62 scenes
Every new scene pack we release
Sync across phones with Google sign-in
Cancel anytime in Google Play

Questions

Good to know.

What is Shinar?

Shinar is an Android app that teaches spoken Telugu, Hindi and Tamil, and English for Tamil speakers, through 62 short everyday conversations. You hear each scene in a language you know, then in the language you are learning, then every word is explained.

When is Shinar available?

Shinar is coming soon to Google Play for Android. An iPhone version will follow. Tap "Tell me when it's live" to get an email on launch day.

Do I need to know the script?

No. Every line is shown in English letters first, with the Telugu, Hindi or Tamil script underneath if you want it. You learn by ear, the way children do.

Whose voices are these?

Natural, studio-quality voices, a different one for each character, speaking everyday Telugu, Hindi or Tamil, including the English words people really mix in.

What do I get for free?

31 full scenes, all three level tests and every badge. No ads, no time limits.

What does Pro unlock?

All 62 scenes and every new pack we add. Monthly, yearly or a one-time lifetime purchase through Google Play.

Is there an iPhone app?

Shinar is launching on Android first. iPhone is next.

Who is Shinar for?

Anyone 13 or older who wants to understand and speak everyday Telugu, Hindi or Tamil: people who moved to a new city, married into a family that speaks another language, or want to talk with grandparents. Tamil-speaking parents can also use the English for kids course with their children.

Which languages can I learn?

Telugu, Hindi and Tamil (in beta). Each language gets its own scenes set in its own city: Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai, with local places, food and festivals. Tamil speakers can also learn English, with separate courses for adults and for kids (school, tuition and play). One Pro purchase unlocks all of them.

Your first scene is two minutes away.

Shinar is coming soon to Google Play. iPhone follows. Leave your email and we'll tell you the day it's live.

Tell me when it's live