Learn Chinese by reading real Chinese
Chinese has no spaces, so ContextCat cuts the text into words on your iPhone, and a tap explains the word, not just one character. Simplified and traditional Chinese are both reading languages.
他今天有点儿累。
有点儿 adverb
a little, somewhat
Used before something unwelcome. He is a bit tired today.
What to read in Chinese
Today, the daily edition, has headlines from Chinese outlets, including DW 中文, 少数派 sspai, 爱范儿 ifanr, IT之家 and Solidot. Open one and the article opens in the reader, where every word can be tapped.
You can also bring your own Chinese: import a PDF, save a link to a web article, or paste text. Whatever you read, it stays in Chinese, and help appears only where you ask for it.
How a tap helps
The word turns bold and a note opens under its sentence with the meaning it has here, in your own language. Word analysis gives the root and the form. Select a few words or a sentence to translate just that part.
Every word you tap is saved with its sentence and comes back as a card, at longer and longer gaps, until you know it. Listen reads books, PDFs and your texts aloud in a natural Chinese voice, sentence by sentence.
Is it right for you?
ContextCat works best once you know enough Chinese to follow a simple text and want to read more of it. If you are starting from zero, begin with a course, and come back when short texts feel within reach. The guides have ideas on where to start.
Read next
Questions
Can I learn Chinese with ContextCat?
- ContextCat helps you learn Chinese by reading it. Tap any word in a Chinese text and it explains what the word means in that sentence, in your own language, then brings the word back later for review. It does not replace a course for grammar or speaking.
What is there to read in Chinese?
- Today's edition has headlines from Chinese outlets such as DW 中文, 少数派 sspai, 爱范儿 ifanr. The Store has books and articles, and you can import your own Chinese PDFs, web articles and texts.
Is ContextCat free for Chinese?
- Yes, to start. The free plan includes 25 word explanations, 15 sentence translations a day and 3 imports, in every language. ContextCat Pro removes the limits.
Other languages
English · Spanish · French · German · Japanese · Korean · Italian · Portuguese · Russian · Turkish · Dutch · Swedish · all 39