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Learning Mandarin with an app is fine. Learning it in a browser, for free, with no account and no subscription, is better — because there’s nothing between you and the content.
These five tools were built by one person (a Chinese IT worker who uses them to help English-speaking friends learn the language). They run in any browser. No install. No sign-up. The HSK flashcard tool works offline after the first load.
1. Mandarin Flashcards — HSK 1, 2 & 3 (400+ Words)
400+ vocabulary words across HSK levels 1, 2, and 3. Each card shows the character, pinyin, and English meaning. Click any character to hear it spoken. Filter by level. Track your progress with a simple spaced-repetition system that remembers which cards you’ve seen.
The tool also includes a Story Reader mode — short stories in English with the Chinese version hidden. Tap any sentence to reveal the Chinese. Good for bridging the gap between vocabulary and real reading.
Best for: Absolute beginners building their first 150 words, and intermediate learners pushing through HSK 2-3.
Technical note: The HSK 2 and 3 vocabulary loads from a separate JSON file that only exists on the website — so if you save the HTML file locally, you’ll get HSK 1 only. Open it at the URL above for the full 400+ word set.
2. Chinese Writing Toolkit — 11 Letter Types
Chinese writing has highly specific conventions that aren’t obvious to learners: formal opening phrases, appropriate closing lines, grammar patterns that signal education level. This toolkit covers 11 letter types:
- 邀请信 Invitation
- 感谢信 Thank-you letter
- 建议信 Suggestion letter
- 道歉信 Apology letter
- 申请信 Application letter
- 通知 Notice / Announcement
- 演讲稿 Speech
- 询问信 Inquiry letter
- 投诉信 Complaint letter
- 求职信 Cover letter
- 自我介绍 Self-introduction
For each type: example sentences, a word upgrade table (replace plain words with formal equivalents), and 13 grammar patterns with real usage examples. There’s also a practice pad where you write and compare to the model.
Best for: HSK 4+ learners preparing for written exams or professional correspondence.
3. Chinese Reading Lab — Historical Decision Stories
Ten real historical turning points — Mandela choosing reconciliation, Jobs deciding to return to Apple, Buffett making his first major bet — told in Chinese at HSK 4-6 level. Click any word for instant pinyin and meaning. No dictionary app needed.
The format is unusual: you read the situation in Chinese, make a decision yourself (before seeing what the historical person chose), then reveal the actual choice and the outcome. The reading becomes active rather than passive.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced learners who need reading practice and find textbook passages boring.
4. Chengyu Stories — 20 Classic Chinese Idioms
成语 (chengyu) are four-character idioms, each with a 2,000-year-old story behind it. Knowing them marks the difference between functional Chinese and fluent Chinese. This tool covers 20 of the most commonly used chengyu:
Each entry has the original story in Chinese (click any word for pinyin), an English explanation, and a modern scenario where you choose which chengyu applies. The quiz format means you’re practicing usage, not just memorization.
Best for: Intermediate learners preparing for HSK 5-6 or looking to sound more natural in written Chinese.
5. Pinyin Annotator — Paste Any Chinese Text
Paste any Chinese text. Pinyin appears above every character instantly. Tone colors, HSK level highlighting, click any character for full details. Built on a 2,500+ character dictionary.
The practical use case: you find an article, a menu, a sign, a WeChat message — anything in Chinese — and you want to be able to read it aloud. Paste it here. Takes three seconds.
Best for: All levels. Beginners use it to decode anything they encounter. Advanced learners use it to check characters they half-remember.
How These Tools Fit Together
A reasonable learning path using only these five tools:
- Start with Mandarin Flashcards (HSK 1) until you have 150 words.
- Use the Pinyin Annotator on any Chinese text you encounter daily.
- Move to HSK 2-3 flashcards + Chengyu Stories at the same time.
- Use Chinese Reading Lab when you’re ready for paragraph-length reading.
- Use Chinese Writing Toolkit before any formal written assignment.
All five are free, no account, no subscription. The flashcard tool works offline. Everything else requires an internet connection for the first load only.
All five tools:
• Mandarin Flashcards (HSK 1-3)
• Chinese Writing Toolkit
• Chinese Reading Lab
• Chengyu Stories
• Pinyin Annotator
• All 47 free tools →
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