The 5 Best Apps to Learn Chinese in 2026
Discover the top 5 Chinese learning apps for 2026. From Literate Chinese to Pleco, find the best tools for spaced repetition, reading practice, and true literacy.
Chinese Learning Blog
Guides, strategies, and vocabulary for learning to read Chinese.
Why You Can Pass HSK 5 But Still Can't Read a Chinese Novel
Passed HSK 5 but still struggle to read Chinese novels? The gap between exam preparation and real-world reading is real. Learn why and what actually works.
Why Flashcards Aren't Enough: The Reading Gap Every Chinese Learner Hits
You've memorized 2,000 Chinese characters but still can't read a novel. Here's why the vocabulary-to-reading gap exists and how to bridge it.
Why Heritage Speakers Struggle to Read Chinese (And How to Fix It)
Heritage speakers often understand spoken Chinese but can't read it. Discover why this gap exists and the proven method to become literate in Chinese.
The Comprehensible Input Approach to Chinese: Why Reading More Beats Drilling Vocabulary
Discover why comprehensible input learning Chinese through reading works better than vocabulary drilling. A practical guide for adult learners and heritage speakers.
How to Read Chinese in Your Head Without Sounding It Out
Struggling to read Chinese silently? Learn how to develop true silent reading fluency and read Chinese in your head like a native speaker.
How to Say Hello in Chinese
Say hello in Chinese: 你好 (nǐ hǎo). Learn formal 您好, group greetings, time-based hellos, casual openers, and 喂 for answering the phone.
How to Say Thank You in Chinese
Say thank you in Chinese: 谢谢 (xièxie). Learn 谢谢你, 多谢, 感谢, how strong each is, and how to reply with 不客气 and 不用谢.
How to Say Happy Birthday in Chinese
Say happy birthday in Chinese: 生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè). Learn formal and casual birthday wishes, how to sing the song, and key birthday vocabulary.
How to Say I Love You in Chinese
Say I love you in Chinese: 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). Learn 我喜欢你, degrees of affection, romantic phrases, and the culture behind saying it.
How to Say Goodbye in Chinese
Say goodbye in Chinese: 再见 (zàijiàn). Learn 拜拜, 回头见, 明天见, formal and casual farewells, and polite send-offs like 慢走.
How to Introduce Yourself in Chinese
Introduce yourself in Chinese: 我叫… and 我是…. Learn how to give your name, nationality, age, and job, with a full sample self-introduction.
Days of the Week in Chinese
Days of the week in Chinese: 星期一 to 星期日. Learn the 星期, 周, and 礼拜 systems, Sunday's two forms, plus today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
Basic Chinese Idioms for Beginners
Learn basic Chinese idioms (成语 chéngyǔ): 10 easy, useful four-character idioms with literal meanings, real meanings, pinyin, and example usage.
5 Positive Chinese Idioms
Learn 5 uplifting Chinese idioms (成语) with meanings, pinyin, and example sentences. Perfect for beginners learning Mandarin.
Animal Vocabulary in Chinese
Learn essential Chinese animal vocabulary with this visual guide. Perfect for beginners learning Mandarin.
Body Parts in Chinese 身体部位
Learn essential body parts vocabulary in Chinese with pinyin, meanings, and example sentences.
Cantonese Dim Sum Vocabulary
Learn Cantonese dim sum vocabulary in Chinese. Perfect for food lovers learning Mandarin.
Chinese Numbers 1-10 - Learn to Count in Chinese
Master Chinese numbers 1-10 with this easy vocabulary guide. Includes pinyin, characters, and example sentences.
Classic Beijing Foods in Chinese
Learn to name classic Beijing foods in Chinese with this visual guide. Perfect for foodies learning Mandarin.
Colors 颜色 - Learn Chinese Vocabulary
Learn Chinese color words with pinyin, meanings, and example sentences. Perfect for beginners.
Confucius on Learning: 学而时习之
Learn Confucius famous quote on learning in Chinese. Discover the joy of learning and practicing: 学而时习之，不亦说乎
Confucius Wisdom: 己所不欲，勿施于人
Learn Confucius wisdom in Chinese. Discover the profound meaning behind '己所不欲，勿施于人' and its relevance today.
Directions 方向 - Learn Chinese Vocabulary
Learn Chinese directional words with pinyin, meanings, and example sentences. Perfect for beginners.
Emotions Vocabulary
Learn 6 essential Chinese emotion words like 快乐 (happy) and 生气 (angry) with pinyin, English meanings, and example sentences.
Family Words 家人 - Learn Chinese Vocabulary
Learn Chinese family words with pinyin, meanings, and example sentences. Perfect for beginners.
Food Vocabulary in Chinese
Learn essential Chinese food vocabulary with this visual guide. Perfect for beginners learning Mandarin.
How to Build a Lasting Chinese Reading Habit That Actually Works - Literate Chinese Blog
Struggling to read Chinese consistently? Learn the science-backed strategy for building a daily reading habit that turns practice into progress.
How to Double Your Chinese Reading Speed (Even at Advanced Levels)
Stuck at a plateau? Learn practical techniques to dramatically improve your Chinese reading speed, from recognizing character chunks to reducing subvocalization.
How to Learn to Read Chinese as a Heritage Speaker
Can you speak Chinese but not read it? Here's a practical guide for heritage speakers looking to become literate in Chinese.
How to Rebuild Your Chinese Reading Skills After a Long Break - Literate Chinese Blog
Stopped learning Chinese for months or years? Here's how to rebuild your reading skills and get back on track without starting from scratch.
Nature Vocabulary in Chinese - 14 Essential Words
Learn 14 essential nature vocabulary words in Chinese with pinyin, English translations, and example sentences. Perfect for beginners.
Sichuan Cuisine in Chinese
Learn Sichuan cuisine vocabulary in Chinese. Famous dishes include mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and more!
Sichuan Cuisine Vocabulary
Learn essential Sichuan cuisine vocabulary in Chinese. Perfect for food lovers learning Mandarin.
Taiwanese Food Part 2
Learn more delicious Taiwanese food vocabulary: braised pork rice, beef noodles, bubble tea, and pineapple cake!
Taiwanese Food Vocabulary
Learn Taiwanese food vocabulary in Chinese. Bubble tea, gua bao, and more!
The Right Way to Read Chinese: Intensive vs Extensive Reading
What's the difference between intensive and extensive reading for Chinese learners? Discover which approach will actually help you become fluent in Chinese.
Time Vocabulary in Chinese
Learn essential time vocabulary in Chinese with examples and practice.
Weather Vocabulary
Learn 8 essential Chinese weather words like 晴天 (sunny day) and 多云 (cloudy) with pinyin, English meanings, and example sentences.
Why Adults Fear Chinese Reading (And Why They Shouldn't)
Many adult Chinese learners feel intimidated by reading real Chinese text. Here's why that fear is holding you back, and how to overcome it with the right approach.
Why Character Recognition Isn't Enough: The Reading Comprehension Gap in Adult Chinese Learners
You've memorized thousands of Chinese characters but still struggle to understand what you read. Here's why the character-to-comprehension gap exists and what actually works to bridge it.
Why Chinese Apps Fail Heritage Speakers: The Reading Gap
Most Chinese learning apps are designed for beginners starting from zero. If you can speak but struggle to read, here's why the mainstream apps don't work for you and what actually does.
Why Heritage Speakers Can Speak Chinese But Can't Read (And How to Bridge the Gap)
Many heritage speakers can speak Mandarin fluently but struggle to read Chinese characters. Learn why this gap exists and how targeted reading practice can help.
Why Heritage Speakers Can Speak Chinese But Can't Read (And How to Fix It)
Heritage speakers often speak Mandarin fluently but struggle to read Chinese characters. Learn why this gap exists and practical strategies to build reading skills.
Why HSK 4 Feels So Hard: A Practical Guide to Breaking Through
HSK 4 feels harder than it should? You're not imagining it. Learn why the HSK 3 to 4 jump is so tough and what actually works to pass it.
Why You Can't Read Chinese Without Pinyin (And How to Fix It)
Stuck on pinyin? Learn how to break free from romanization and read Chinese characters directly—without the crutch. A practical guide for intermediate learners.
Why Your Chinese Reading Stalls: Breaking Through the Intermediate Plateau
Stuck at intermediate Chinese reading level? Discover why most learners hit a plateau and the science-backed strategies to break through to fluent reading.
彼此相愛 - Love One Another
Study Jesus' teaching 彼此相愛 (Love one another, John 13:34) in Chinese, with key vocabulary, pinyin, and example sentences for learners.
我是世界的光 - I Am the Light of the World
Read Jesus' words 我是世界的光 (I am the light of the world, John 8:12) in Chinese, with spiritual vocabulary, pinyin, and example sentences.