25 Best Apps to Learn Chinese - Does Not Translate

Learn Chinese on Coursera

Coursera has partnerships with leading universities to offer online classes on dozens of languages. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced speaker, there's a course for you. And because Coursera is always updating its curriculum, you can be sure to find the most up-to-date information and instruction. For example, if you want to learn Korean, they have classes from the esteemed Yonsei University in Seoul. Why go for gamified silly apps when you can get certified, world-class courses that have been developed over decades. Plus, instead of studying a language randomly, you can get a degree in the language that you can use later for work or for university.

Price: depends

Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web

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Learn Chinese on FluentU

FluentU has a user-friendly interface and immersive video content, which makes learning a breeze. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, FluentU has something for you. Explore different dialects, learn grammar essentials, and watch fun videos that make learning enjoyable. And with the FluentU app's offline mode, you can keep learning even when you're on the go. The main selling point of the app is fun and engaging video content that will help you improve your language skills in no time. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, FluentU has something to offer you.

Price: $22.99/month

Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web

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Learn Chinese on Language Reactor

Language Reactor is a language learning app on the web that uses Youtube, Netflix, and other platforms to help you learn languages. You can download their Chrome extension, that is already used by a million people, to add explanations and translations to the things you watch.

After you install the extension and you visit Youtube or Netflix, it will ask you to choose your native language. Once you click on a video, it will show you: the subtitles in the origin language, and the subtitles in your native language. It will also add a side panel with the entire text of the video.

You can click on each word, and it will open up a dictionary. It will also pronounce this word for you. If you find that people in your destination language speak too quickly, this will definitely help you understand what they are saying.

Here is an image of what all of this looks like on Youtube for a video that's 100% in French:

Overall, Language Reactor is an efficient and easy way to a language - it's also free, which means you will have nothing to lose giving it a try.

The only drawback of Language Reactor is that it might be more suited for intermediate or advanced learners. If you are an absolute beginner, you might want to spend a few months learning the basics of the language first.

Take the video above as an example. Learning what "ravin" or "reculée" mean has little to no use for someone who doesn't know what the basic sentence structure is, what the basic verbs are, or simply how to say "My name is...".

In conclusion, if you are looking to complement your learning, Language Reactor is a great tool. But if you are an absolute beginner, you might want to start somewhere else first.

Price: Free

Devices: Web

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Learn Chinese on Beelinguapp

Beelinguapp is an innovative new language-learning app that uses reading and listening to audiobooks, news and songs. Whether you’re looking to learn Spanish, French, German or any other language, Beelinguapp makes it easy and fun for anyone at any level. With its immersive dual-language immersion approach, Beelinguapp has quickly become one of the most popular language-learning apps on the market. They have an extensive library of stories (like Sherlock Holmes), news articles, songs, and audiobooks - all narrated by a native speaker. You'll be developing your reading and listening at the same time.

Price: Free

Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and PC app

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Learn Chinese on Falou

Falou is the perfect app for anyone looking to improve their speaking skills. With a focus on conversation, Falou makes learning a new language easy and fun. You'll be able to practice with native speakers from all over the world, and get feedback on your pronunciation. Whether you're preparing for a trip or just want to learn more about another culture, Falou is the perfect way to do it. The biggest drawback of Falou is not being comprehensive. You can use it as an app to complement your learning journey, but on its own, it's difficult to see how a speaking app will help you improve your writing for example. So if you are someone whose natural learning preference is speaking, go for this. Otherwise, make sure you have another method, such as tutors (italki has tutors for almost every language, we rated it 5 stars.)

Price: $9.99/month

Devices: Android, iPad, and iPhone

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Learn Chinese on Mosalingua

Mosalingua is a language learning system that prides itself in having 11 million learners. It works by using flashcards to teach you new words and phrases. The app also includes a pronunciation guide, grammar tips, and a dictionary.

Price: Free

Devices:

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Learn Chinese on 50 Languages

50 Languages is a mobile app that offers users a variety of features that make learning a language relatively easy. From pronunciation guides to verb conjugations, 50 Languages has a good set up to deepen your knowledge of your desired language. The app is free to download but you have to pay to remove ads.

Price: Free

Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web

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Learn Chinese on Brainscape

Brainscape is a customizable flashcard language learning app where you can pick the language you want to learn and then create your own personalized learning path. It prides itself on being "the world's smartest flashcard app".

Price: $9.99/month

Devices: Android, and iPhone

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Learn Chinese on Awabe

Awabe is a flashcard language learning app on Android. It focuses on vocabulary, offering as much as 4,000 words for each language.

Price: Free

Devices: Android, iPad, and iPhone

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Learn Chinese on LingQ

LingQ is a language learning app that uses the same logic for learning a new language as learning your native tongue: using content you already like. They have books, news, podcasts, sports coverage, politics, culture, and food to name a few.

Price: Free

Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web

Go to LingQ