Best apps and websites to study Mandarin Chinese
Skritter
Skritter is a language app that teaches learners to write characters in Chinese and Japanese. It uses handwriting recognition technology in conjunction with a spaced repetition system to teach stroke order, meaning, and vocabulary.
Skritter is run by a global team of Chinese and Japanese language students and teachers working to make learning as easy and enjoyable as possible with help from technology.
Pleco dictionary
It’s easily the best dictionary app available, but it can do so much more than just help you look up the meanings of words. The core features are free to use, but there are a number of add-ons (some paid) which makes it even more useful. Some of these are SRS flashcards, OCR which lets you look up words using your camera, audio recordings, document reader, screen reader, handwriting recognition, and more. This is the one app that pretty much everyone agrees is a must-have.
Readibu
Readibu is a freemium app targeted at Chinese-learning bookworms. It’s feature-rich and an excellent choice for reading webnovels.
In the Book Discovery tab, there is a limited selection of books that can be searched by HSK level, completion status, genre, and protagonist gender. This database draws books directly from a handful of Chinese novel websites such as Qidian. However, you also have the option of importing Chinese content by copying and pasting any URL into the app.
Du Chinese
From all the graded readers out there, Du Chinese is one of the best ones. The app (and desktop/web version) combines Chinese listening practice and reading so well. It’s all interactive too. You can turn on/off Pinyin, add HSK color codes, and choose traditional or simplified characters. You can even increase the audio speed.
Mandarin Bean
Mandarin Bean.com provides Mandarin Chinese learners with easy access to study materials that are high-quality, contextual ...and definitely not boring!
Hello Hello Chinese
You won’t find a better free option for learning Chinese than HelloChinese. This app has a ton of content and engaging exercises that will have you practicing Chinese immediately. It’s great for beginners and covers a lot of material; including reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, and even parts of Chinese culture. Not only that, it’s actually fun to use.
