Do you know what “nǐ hǎo!” means? Yes, it’s Pin Yin of Chinese Mandarin, meaning “Hello!” in English. Recently, whiplashed by TikTok’s back and forth, many international users have begun their learning Chinese journey.
The same as learning other languages, many learners want to find the best app to learn Chinese for free! This article is for you, having listed several learn Chinese apps below. Whether you are a Chinese starter or an intermediate Chinese learner, you can the best one for you!
Have a Glance of the Best App to Learn Chinese
We all know that to learn a certain language, there are several facets to consider. To learn Chinese Mandarin, you need to consider Pin Yin, Chinese character writing strokes, vocabulary, etc.
Here is a list of the best apps to learn Chinese categorized into different sorts:
Learn Chinese Mandarin Comprehensively:
- HelloChinese
- SuperChinese
- Duolingo
- WukongChinese
- Busuu
- Chinese ai
Memorize Chinese Vocabularies:
- Pleco Chinese Dictionary
- JUZI Chinese
- AnkiDroid
- Skritter
- Anki
- Word Match
- Memrise
- Reword – Learn Chinese with Flashcards
Focus on Chinese Pin Yin:
- Chinese Pinyin – Learn Mandarin
- trainchinese
- Duolingo
Practice Chinese Reading:
- Du Chinese – Read Mandarin
- Chinese Deciphered
- Manga Mandarin
Practice Chinese Character Writing Strokes:
- ChineseSkill
- trainchinese
- LingoAce
Talk with Native Chinese People in Real-Time, or Just Practice Chinese Spoken:
- HelloTalk
- Tandem
- italki
Prepare for a Chinese Test and Obtain a Chinese Certificate:
- HSK Exam
- SuperTest
Immersed in the Real Chinese Context to Feel Chinese:
- iQiyi
- Youku
- Tencent Video
- Bilibili
Can’t access these streaming services outside China? You can consider using a VPN tool, for example, the LightningX VPN.
LightningX VPN is a fast, stable, and safe VPN service. It has a dedicated feature, “Instant access to mainland China”. This feature allows overseas users to access Chinese networks. Once connected, you can enjoy China-localized streaming content. Download LightningX VPN to learn Chinese and access Chinese streaming services.
What to Look for the Best App to Learn Chinese?
Above, we have listed many apps to learn Chinese. What makes the best app to learn Chinese? What features should you consider before you decide to start using this app? Here are several tips you should pay attention to:
Friendly UI. Learn Chinese app should be easy to navigate, especially for Chinese starters. When you consider an app, you should choose an app with simple and clean layouts, for example, clearly marked sections for lessons, reviews, and progress tracking.
The practice section matters the most. As is known to us, Chinese pronunciation, especially tones, can be tricky. When you choose an app to learn Chinese, this app should be equipped with clear audio recordings and speech recognition. This will help you practice accurate pronunciation.
Cost is vital. Some users just want to try Chinese lightly to see if it is suitable for them to learn. For this type of user, there is no need to pay for learning for the time being. But if you want to learn Chinese for a long time and want to get a certificate, paid learning is a good investment.
Recommendation: The Best App to Learn Chinese for Free
There are a lot of learn Chinese app options. According to users’ feedback, the following are the most recommended ones.
#1. SuperChinese – Best App to Learn Chinese as a Foreigner
SuperChinese is focused on Chinese learning, especially for foreigners new to Chinese Mandarin. It adopts AI technology and immersive learning methods. Users can learn Chinese on SuperChinese in a more comprehensive way.
Pros:
- AI-driven assistance.
- All-round language skill training, covering Pin Yin, Chinese characters, vocabulary, and Chinese spoken, etc.
- Situational learning is mixed with daily life.
- Included Chinese cultural elements.
- Supported with mobile devices and tablets and available in Google Play Store and App Store.
- Free trials.
Cons: The price of advanced courses is not user-friendly.
#2. Hello Chinese – Learn Chinese with Fun
HelloChinese is a Chinese learning platform, suitable for beginners and intermediate learners. HelloChinese has a very clean and intuitive user interface. Leaners can have fun on HelloChinese the moment learning Chinese. It is often considered one of the most popular apps for learning Chinese.
Pros:
- Overall learning coverage: You can learn and practice Chinese covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Interactive learning: There are varied mini-courses and games to strengthen your learning effects.
- Personalized learning plans.
- It supports offline learning (Download courses ahead of time).
- Integrated well with Chinese culture.
- Supports Android and iOS.
- Free trials.
- Including special HSK preparation courses.
Cons: Limited free courses.
#3. Duolingo – Green Bird Helps You Learn Chinese
Influenced by the Xiaohongshu wave, Duolingo is riding the wind to call on international users to learn Chinese Mandarin. Duolingo is a popular language-learning app worldwide. It supports multiple languages, including Chinese Mandarin.
Its logo is a green bird, which looks pretty funny. The same as its learning method and interesting user interface.
Pro:
- To learn Chinese is like gaming. Its level-based learning design renders learners motivated to learn.
- Designed courses with different phases.
- Multi-sensory learning experience.
- Combination with pictures and audio assistance.
- Leaderboard and community interaction.
- Free to use.
- Available on Google Play Store and Apple Store.
Cons:
Advanced Chinese courses are limited.
Tips: How to Learn Chinese Effectively with Those Learn Chinese Apps?
If you have chosen one app to learn Chinese, here are some tips for you to learn Chinese more effectively.
1. Set Realistic Goals
Before you start learning Chinese, you should set a clear goal for yourself. For example, you can break down your learning process into smaller, manageable tasks. Also, you can focus on taking command of some basic vocabulary and phrases from scratch at first.
2. Pay Attention to Pronunciation Early on
A good pronunciation will give you more confidence. Tones play a vital role in Chinese. Therefore, in the learning process, pay attention to listen closely and imitate native speakers. Choose the learning apps with speech recognition to correct your pronunciation.
3. Stay Motivated
There’s an ancient saying in Chinese, “qiān lǐ zhī xíng，shǐ yú zú xià”. This saying means the success of doing things lies in the gradual accumulation from small to large, from little to much.
It may take a long time to learn Chinese and may encounter some trouble. Just don’t discouraged and keep motivating yourself! Go ahead!
Conclusion
Learning Chinese is not an easy action. This article mainly introduces the best app to learn Chinese for beginners. Have you picked one? If yes, open your app and embark on your Chinese learning journey! Good luck!
