Learn Chinese by actually reading it.
Smart flashcards build your vocabulary. 600+ graded stories — matched to the exact words you know — turn it into real reading. Every story shows how much of it you can already read, so you're never lost and never bored.
Flashcards feed your reading. Reading makes it stick.
Most apps stop at memorization. Literate Chinese tracks every word you learn and turns it into reading you can actually do.
Study smart flashcards
True spaced repetition (SRS) built on your personal vocabulary bank — with word lists for every level and goal, audio and example sentences on every card.
Read stories matched to you
The app knows exactly which characters you know and shows how much of every story you can already read. Tap any word for pronunciation, meaning, and audio.
Watch it stick
After each session, get a story recommendation using the words you just studied. Track your streak, vocabulary growth, and a reading level that climbs with you.
Everything serious learners need, in one clean app
Stories matched to your vocabulary
Every story shows what percentage of it you can already read, based on the exact characters you know — not a one-size-fits-all level.
Mainland & Taiwan Mandarin
Simplified or Traditional, pinyin or zhuyin, Mainland or Taiwan audio — switch anytime, no separate app needed.
Region-aware vocabulary
Tap to see whether a word is everyday usage in China or Taiwan — and what people say there instead. Stories adapt automatically.
True SRS flashcards
Spaced repetition on your personal vocab bank — not static decks. Drill any list on demand.
Every major word list
Complete HSK 2.0 and 3.0, TOCFL bands, AP Chinese, and dozens of themed vocabulary lists.
Capture words anywhere
Snap a photo or record audio and turn new words into flashcards in seconds.
Writing practice
Practice writing characters stroke by stroke to lock them into memory.
Audio everywhere
Native-quality Mainland and Taiwan voices for every word, sentence, and story.
AI word helper
Ask about any word's usage and nuance, with extra example sentences on demand.
One app for both kinds of Mandarin
Learning for Beijing or for Taipei? Most apps make you pick — or only do one well. Literate Chinese is built for both from the ground up, and makes the differences something you can study instead of stumble over.
- Simplified and Traditional characters, pinyin and zhuyin (bopomofo) — switch anytime
- Native-quality Mainland and Taiwan audio for every word and story
- Stories automatically swap regional vocabulary to match your setting
- Tap any word to see if it's everyday usage in China or Taiwan — and the local equivalent
- Complete HSK word lists for Mainland learners, TOCFL for Taiwan, AP for exam takers
Start learning right here, right now
📚 Free Chinese Reading Practice
Ninety-plus graded Chinese stories you can read in your browser — beginner through advanced, with translations.
Browse the story library →✏️ Chinese Grammar Guide
173 grammar points from beginner to advanced — patterns, examples with pinyin, and the mistakes to avoid.
Open the grammar guide →📖 Chinese Graded Readers
How 600+ stories matched to the characters you know take you from beginner to reading real Chinese.
Explore graded readers →🃏 Free Chinese Flashcards
Study HSK levels, bopomofo, business terms, and more with free online flashcard decks.
Browse flashcard decks →Guides for serious Chinese learners
The Best Chinese Learning Apps in 2026
An honest comparison of Du Chinese, Hack Chinese, Anki, and more — and which approach actually gets you reading.
Why You Can Pass HSK 5 But Still Can't Read a Novel
The vocabulary-to-reading gap every Chinese learner hits — and how graded reading bridges it.
Why Heritage Speakers Struggle to Read Chinese
Understand spoken Chinese but can't read it? The proven path from speaking to full literacy.
Common questions
Is Literate Chinese free?
Yes — the core study tools, flashcards, and a generous set of graded stories are free. A Premium subscription unlocks the full story library.
Does it cover Mainland Chinese, Taiwan Mandarin, or both?
Both, fully. Choose Simplified characters with pinyin and Mainland audio, or Traditional characters with zhuyin (bopomofo) and Taiwan audio — and switch anytime. Stories even adapt their vocabulary to the region you're learning for.
Does it support Traditional characters and zhuyin (bopomofo)?
Yes. Switch between Simplified and Traditional, and between pinyin and zhuyin, anywhere in the app — with Taiwan Mandarin audio and Taiwan-specific vocabulary lists.
What levels does it cover?
From your very first character through HSK 9 and TOCFL Band C. Word lists cover HSK 2.0, HSK 3.0, TOCFL, AP Chinese, and dozens of themed topics.
Is it good for heritage speakers?
Yes — if you understand spoken Chinese but struggle with characters, the reading-first approach meets you where you are: stories are matched to the characters you actually know, so you can start reading immediately.
Start reading Chinese with confidence
Download Literate Chinese free on iOS and Android.