Learning Chinese can be a rewarding experience, and fortunately, there are many great apps available to help you do so for free. Here are some of the best free apps to learn Chinese:
1. HelloChinese
HelloChinese is one of the most popular apps for learning Mandarin. It offers interactive lessons on pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, and uses speech recognition to help you practice speaking. The app also includes engaging features like games and quizzes to make learning fun.
2. Duolingo
Duolingo is a well-known language learning app, and it offers Mandarin Chinese courses for free. It focuses on vocabulary and sentence structure, with a gamified approach that makes learning engaging and fun. You can track your progress and practice daily to build a consistent learning habit.
3. Memrise
Memrise provides Chinese courses that focus on vocabulary and pronunciation, using spaced repetition to help you retain what you’ve learned. It offers a range of user-generated content, as well as real-life videos of native speakers to help with listening comprehension.
4. Anki
Anki is a flashcard app that is particularly useful for memorizing Chinese characters and vocabulary. While it’s not a complete course, the app allows you to download shared flashcard decks made by other users, many of which are tailored to Chinese learners. The spaced repetition system ensures you review material just when you need it.
5. ChineseSkill
ChineseSkill offers lessons that cover a wide range of topics, including grammar, pronunciation, and writing. It’s similar to HelloChinese, with a focus on interactive learning and games. The app is free to use, but there are some premium features that you can unlock with a paid subscription.
6. Clozemaster
Clozemaster focuses on vocabulary acquisition through context, using sentences to help you understand how words are used in real situations. It offers a huge collection of sentence-based exercises, which are excellent for expanding your vocabulary. The app is free with additional features available through a paid version.
7. Skritter
Skritter is an app that focuses on learning Chinese characters through writing practice. It provides a guided and structured approach to mastering how to write Chinese characters, making it particularly helpful for beginners who want to focus on writing. Skritter offers a free trial, though it requires a paid subscription after that.
8. LingoDeer
LingoDeer is similar to HelloChinese and ChineseSkill, offering structured lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It’s known for its clear explanations and interactive exercises. The free version of the app gives you access to the first few lessons in each course.
9. ChinesePod
ChinesePod is primarily an audio-based language learning platform that offers a wide range of lessons, from beginner to advanced levels. While the app offers some premium features, there are plenty of free lessons available for learning vocabulary, grammar, and conversation practice.
10. Tandem
Tandem is a language exchange app that connects you with native Chinese speakers. You can practice speaking, writing, or even chatting via video calls. It’s an excellent way to learn conversational Chinese and understand the nuances of the language. The app offers free features, though some options are premium.
These apps provide various ways to learn Chinese, from vocabulary and grammar lessons to pronunciation and character writing. The key to success is regular practice, and using a combination of these apps can help you improve across different areas of the language.
