老内Beijing · 北京
Tom

I’m Tom.

Australian.
Twenty years in Beijing.

  • Film maker and producer in China.
  • I also do consulting for business in China.

I built Laonei to help people get by in China. It can:

  • Translate out loud, both ways
  • Answer anything about life here
  • Read signs and menus through the camera
  • Subtitle a lecture or a conversation
New!

Video calls with a live translator

You speak English, they read it in Chinese — and the other way round.

Try a video call

It’s brand new — I’d love to hear what you think, and any suggestions. Tell me here →

Learn Chinese online, with a teacher in China

I’m setting up live lessons over video, with subtitles. Your first lesson is free.

Get a free trial lesson
How it works

Translate

“This price is too expensive”

这个价格太贵了 ▶

zhège jiàgé tài guì le

Try it →

Ask

“I’m lost — how do I get home?”

→ what to show the driver, and the words to say

Try it →

Take a photo

A menu, a sign, a form

→ read back in English, then ask about it

Open the camera →
Download the app

iPhone or Android — it works out which one you are on.

As well as the app, I do consulting in China.
Feel free to send me a message.

Send me a message