Learning Mandarin Chinese can be a difficult task and the only solution is to constantly practice and to fully submerge yourself into the task of studying the language. Using your iPhone or iPad is the best way to motivate yourself to study on the go throughout the day.
There are thousands of apps that focus on writing characters, pronunciation, translation, key phrases and vocabulary. Whether you are in line for a coffee, in the subway, waiting for a friend or walking the following apps will give you a head start on your Chinese learning journey.
KTdict C-E (Chinese-English dictionary)
Do you want an easy to use dictionary on the go? This free app contains 70,000 searchable entries and can be used offline. You can translate using English, Chinese characters or Pinyin.
Price: Free
Upgrade: USD$3.99 – Disables advertisements and adds a flashcard trainer that can be used with your own words or the dictionary.
Learn Chinese HD - Mandarin Phrasebook for Travel in China
This app is great for beginners and travelers. It includes phrase categories such as greetings, numbers, directions and places, transportation and eating out. Each category covers the basics and contains words written in English, Chinese characters and Pinyin. Best of all, each word includes an audio recording of a native speaker.
Price: Free
Upgrade: USD$4.99 - Adds 800 phrases and words, disables advertisement and adds 12 additional phrasebook categories such as shopping, accommodation, colors, countries, etc.
FREE Chinese Essentials by AccelaStudy
This app is best for practicing vocabulary and pronunciation. The free version includes 135 words with native speaker audio and can be used offline. It also contains helpful study tools such as flashcards, study sets, quizzes and audio quizzes.
Price: Free
Upgrade: USD$9.99 – Adds 2,100 vocabulary words, a searchable dictionary, hands-free audio that allows you to study while jogging or driving and statistics that track your learning progress.
WordUp Chinese (Mandarin) LITE - Mirai Language Systems
This app is best for practicing vocabulary and pronunciation. In the free version you have access to a dictionary and 300 words and phrases. You can record your voice and compare it with the native Chinese audio, create study lists and flashcards. In the free version you can practice days of the week, months of the year, colors, time expressions, numbers, places and basic adjectives.
Price: Free
Upgrade: USD$4.99 - Includes a 10,000 word dictionary and a phrase book with 2,000 basic Chinese phrases.
Pleco Chinese Dictionary
This app is best for students learning how to read and write characters. Pleco is one of the most integrated Chinese learning applications available and includes everything a student will need to study Chinese. The app includes a free dictionary and 7 paid add-on dictionaries where you can search in English, Chinese characters or Pinyin. If you are willing to pay the price for the upgrades below you will not need any other application to study Mandarin.
Price: Free
Upgrade: USD$7.99 – $14.99/Add-on - Adds a Chinese character recognizer, full screen handwriting to practice characters on your iPhone screen, flashcard system, native-speaker audio recording, stroke order diagrams.
