A curated list of the best free tools and resources for learning Mandarin Chinese · 学中文资源合集
- Free Browser Tools
- Flashcards & Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Reading
- Listening & YouTube
- Writing Practice
- Speaking & Tutors
- Apps
- Communities
- Blog: Life in China
Open in browser. No account. No install.
- Pinyin Annotator — Paste any Chinese text → pinyin above every character instantly. Tone color-coding, HSK level highlight, 2,500+ char dictionary. All levels. · GitHub
- HSK Text Analyzer — 中文难度检测 — Paste any Chinese text; every word color-coded by HSK 1–6 level. Comprehension % per level, pinyin + English on hover, unknown word export. ~1,500-word dictionary. No login. · GitHub
- Chinese Reading Lab — 10 real historical decisions (Mandela, Jobs, Musk, Buffett…) told in Chinese. Click vocab for pinyin popup. HSK4–6. · GitHub
- Chengyu Stories — 成语故事 — 20 classic 成语 with origin stories in Chinese, modern usage examples, and scenario quiz. HSK4–6. · GitHub
- Mandarin Flashcards — HSK1–3 (400+ words), spaced repetition, level filter, clickable characters with pinyin popup, story reader. Free, offline. · GitHub
- Chinese Writing Toolkit — 11 types of applied Chinese writing with sentence banks, model essays, grammar patterns. HSK4–6. · GitHub
- Chinese Antonyms Game — 反义词连连看 — Match 380 opposite-word pairs across 3 difficulty levels. Pinyin + English on every tile. Combo scoring, hint button, 30+ rounds. Great for HSK vocab. · GitHub
- Chinese Measure Words Game — 量词分类练习 — Sort 8 nouns into their correct measure word buckets per level. 8 progressive levels from everyday counters (个·只) to rare literary measure words (艘·株). Pinyin + English hints, shake on wrong, all-correct to advance. · GitHub
- Chinese Learning Hub — All tools in one page with comparison table. · GitHub
- Pleco Dictionary — Gold standard Chinese dictionary. Free web version + excellent mobile app.
- MDBG Dictionary — Web Chinese-English dictionary with character decomposition and stroke order.
- Mandarin Flashcards (HSK1–3) — Browser-based, free, offline. 400+ words.
- Anki — Best SRS flashcard system. Huge library of community Chinese decks.
- HSK 3.0 Anki Decks — Complete HSK 3.0 word lists in Anki format.
- Anki Xiehanzi — Character writing practice in Anki with stroke animations.
- Complete HSK Vocabulary — HSK vocabulary database in multiple formats (JSON, CSV).
- HSK Academy — Practice HSK vocabulary with quizzes, organized by level.
- Chinese Grammar Wiki — Most comprehensive free Chinese grammar reference in English. Essential bookmark.
- Chinese Boost — Grammar explanations with examples, organized by level.
- Du Chinese — Graded readers from beginner to advanced. Free tier available.
- Mandarin Bean — Short graded passages with audio.
- HSK Reading — Practice passages organized by HSK level.
- My Chinese Reading — Curated material for beginners.
- Comprehensible Chinese — Best channel for input-based learning. Slow, clear, stories with characters on screen.
- Mandarin Corner — Real conversations at multiple levels.
- YoYo Chinese — Structured grammar lessons. Great for beginners.
- Everyday Chinese — Practical vocabulary for daily life.
- Slow Chinese 慢速中文 — Podcast in slow, clear Mandarin with transcripts.
- ChinesePod — Long-running Chinese podcast. Free episodes available.
- Chinese Writing Toolkit — 11 types of Chinese writing with templates. Free, no login.
- Skritter — Character writing practice with stroke-order feedback.
- Arch Chinese — Stroke order animations for any character.
- HelloTalk — Language exchange with native Chinese speakers.
- Tandem — Language exchange, slightly more structured than HelloTalk.
- italki — Affordable Chinese tutors. Rates vary widely.
- AllSet Learning Pronunciation — Comprehensive tone and pronunciation guide.
- HelloChinese — Best Duolingo-style app built specifically for Chinese learners.
- Pleco — Essential Chinese dictionary. Free base version is excellent.
- Anki — Best long-term vocabulary system. Free on desktop.
- Duolingo — Good for absolute beginners only.
- r/ChineseLanguage — Large active community for questions and resources.
- r/learnmandarin — Focused Mandarin learning community.
- Chinese Language Stack Exchange — Q&A for specific language questions.
- Ordinary Man Trying — Written by someone living in China. Real cultural context for Chinese learners. In English.
Pull requests welcome. Know a resource that belongs here? Open an issue.