The Most Comprehensive
Mandarin Resource
Directory on the Web
Hundreds of carefully curated resources for learning and using Mandarin, all organized in one place. Find apps, dictionaries, reading and listening practice, Chinese media, reference tools, character resources, study aids, and hidden gems you may not know exist. Many are completely free.
Better Resources, Fewer Dead Ends
Finding a useful Mandarin resource shouldn’t mean clicking through a wall of links. Here, resources come with descriptions so you can see what they offer before deciding whether they’re worth your time.
I also work to weed out dead links, abandoned apps, and tools that no longer work. But with 1,000+ resources, some changes will inevitably slip past me.
Spot something broken or outdated? Please tell me. Your report helps keep the directory current, useful, and free of frustrating dead ends for everyone who uses it, including you.
Report a Broken or Outdated ResourceMandarin Resources, A–Z
A
AI Speaking & Conversation Apps – 7 Resources
AI apps for practicing Mandarin conversation and speaking.
AI Tools for Learning Chinese – 12 Resources
AI tools for studying, understanding and working with Chinese content.
Anki Decks & Tutorials – See Flashcards.
Annotation Tools – 13 Resources
Add pinyin, English and word spacing to Chinese text.
Audiobook Sources – 19 Resources
Build listening comprehension with native spoken content.
Audio Editing – 1 Resource
Record your Chinese, isolate difficult audio, create clips for flashcards and more.
B
BCT (Business Chinese Test) Practice Tests – 4 Tests
Downloadable practice tests, with audio included for selected tests.
Blogs for Learning Chinese – 8 Resources
Articles, tips, and practical advice for learning Chinese.
Blogs for Reading Practice – 3 Resources
Naturally written Real-world content.
Books: Finding Free & Cheap Chinese Learning Books – 26 Resources
Find free or low-cost books through libraries, interlibrary loans and secondhand sellers.
Books in Print – Resource Hub
Find all recommended printed books in one place, including textbooks, idiom books, dictionaries, graded readers and more.
Business Chinese – 10 Resources
Business courses, books and listening practice.
C
Character Books in Print – 5 Resources
Printed books that teach Chinese characters through stroke order, radicals, structure, pronunciation and memorization.
Character Comparison: Similar Looking Characters – 3 Resources
Compare similar-looking characters and learn to spot the small differences that make each one unique.
Character Frequency & Text Analysis Tools – 5 Resources
Count Hanzi, words and strokes, or analyze vocabulary, frequency and other text statistics..
Character Research Tools & Databases – 7 Resources
Tools for researching Chinese characters, forms, structure and history.
Characters: Learning Apps & Websites – 17 Resources
Understand how characters are formed, written and remembered with apps and websites.
Children: Chinese Learning Resources – 31 Resources
Parent resources, printed books, websites and apps, YouTube channels, shows, and cartoons.
Chinese Calendar Tools – 4 Resources
Compare Chinese and Gregorian dates, festivals, solar terms and more.
Chrome Extensions – 26 Resources
Popup dictionaries, OCR, dual subtitles and more.
Classical & Literary Chinese – 16 Resources
Textbooks, dictionaries, courses, readers, classical texts, and digital libraries.
Cloze Practice & Tests – 8 Resources
Fill in missing words using clues from sentences.
Comics, Manhua & Manga – 8 Resources
Build reading skills with visual context and dialogue.
Communities, Forums & Social Platforms – 26 Resources
Ask questions, share tips and learn from others.
Corpora
Find corpora and sentence databases under Sentence Search & Mining.
Courses – 29 Resources
Mini courses, full programs, and major course platforms. See also Learning Apps.
D
Dictation Practice – 5 Resource
Strengthen listening and character recognition by writing what you hear.
Dictionary Apps & Websites – 21 Resources
Look up words, characters, pronunciation, usage and more.
Dictionaries in Print – 6 Resources
Look up words, characters, pronunciation, usage and more in a printed book.
Dramas & TV Shows – 47 Resources
Find reliable places to stream and watch online.
E
ebooks & Reading Platforms – 13 Resources
Authentic books, literature and other native content.
Educational Resource Libraries & Collections – 3 Resources
Large educational collections with free Chinese courses, books, audio, video and other learning materials.
Encyclopedias – 4 Resources
For reference, reading practice, and research.
Etymology – 9 Resources
Trace the origins and evolution of Chinese characters.
F
Family Title Calculators – 2 Resources Find the correct term for any relative.
Flashcard Apps: Custom, Vocabulary & Characters – 18 Resources Create and study digital flashcards, use pre-made sets and add audio.
Flashcards – Anki Decks – 24 Decks Free curated Anki decks for Mandarin learners.
Flashcards – Anki Tutorials – 10 Videos Create & Customize Anki Decks.
Flashcards – Printable Decks – 19 Decks Free HSK 2.0 flashcards for study and review.
Flashcards – Word Tutorials – 2 Videos & 4 Free Templates Step-by-step tutorials to create your own cards.
Fonts & Font Resources – 14 Resources Compare styles, find reputable font sources and more.
G
Games for Learning Chinese – 11 Resources
Games, puzzles and activity generators for engaging practice.
Graded Reader Apps & Websites – 13 Resources
Level-appropriate stories, articles & more!
Graded Reader Books – 5 Resources
Graded reader books and series for every Chinese level.
Grammar & Writing Checkers – 4 Resources
Tools to check grammar, improve writing and catch common errors.
Grammar Books in Print – 10 Resources
Recommended printed grammar books for learners at every level.
Grammar Guides & Practice: Online – 8 Resources
Guides, exercises and tools for understanding grammar.
H
HSK Test Prep & Study Resources – 29 Resources Study tools, courses, apps, textbooks, vocabulary resources, and official HSK materials.
IJ
Idiom Books in Print & Online Dictionaries – 9 Resources
Look up idiom meanings, usage and origins.
Immersion Guides & Resource Hubs – 4 Resources
Guides and curated hubs for finding Chinese media and immersion resources.
Instagram Accounts – 22 Recommended
Bite-sized lessons, vocabulary and pronunciation tips.
Interpreters: Real-Time – 7 Resources
Real-time interpreting tools for live Mandarin conversations.
K
Keyboards: Online – 4 Resources Type Chinese without installing a keyboard.
L
Language Proficiency Training Libraries – 5 Resources
Structured language lessons for intermediate and advanced learners, using authentic reading and listening materials.
Language Exchange Partners – 15 Resources
Practice Chinese in exchange for helping with your language.
Learning Apps – 22 Resources
AI-powered, gamified, HSK, structured learning and TV/video immersion apps.
Level Tests & Quizzes – 7 Resources
Check your level, vocabulary size and character knowledge.
Listening Practice & Comprehensible Input – 20 Resources
Find listening exercises, conversations, talks, lectures, comprehensible input, resource lists and guides.
Listening Practice – Resource Hub
All listening practice content and recommended resources in one place.
Literature, Essays & Poetry – 3 Resources
Authentic writing that builds comprehension through varied voices and styles.
MN
MCT (Medical Chinese Test) Practice Test – 1 Test
Downloadable practice test with audio.
Medical Chinese – 8 Resources
Courses, clinical communication tools, textbooks, vocabulary resources and more.
Music Streaming & Radio – 21 Resources
Authentic audio from across the Chinese-speaking world.
News: Newspapers, Apps & Websites – 26 Resources
Authentic Chinese news and current events.
Numbers: Tools & Practice – 8 Resources
Convert numbers and practice prices, dates, times, large numbers and more.
OP
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – 13 Resources
Extract Chinese text from images, screenshots and scanned documents.
Phrasebooks – 13 Resources
Tools for learning essential phrases and themed vocabulary for everyday situations.
Pinyin, Zhuyin & Character Tools – 6 Resources
Convert Pinyin and Zhuyin, change tone formats, switch between Simplified and Traditional, or identify which character set text uses.
Pinyin & Zhuyin: Pronunciation Guides & Practice – 19 Resources
Charts, interactive tools and mouth-and-tongue guidance for clearer pronunciation.
Podcasts: For Learning Study Tips, Methods & Advice – 3 Resources
Smarter ways to study, stay consistent and make better progress in Mandarin.
Podcasts: For Listening Practice – 33 Resources
Build listening comprehension with content for every level.
Podcast Apps – 6 Resources
Listen to, organize & follow your favorite shows.
Printables & Learning Downloads – 4 Resources
Cheat sheets, infographics, and other downloadable learning materials.
QR
Reading Practice – Resource Hub
All reading practice content and recommended resources in one place.
Radio – See Music Steaming & Radio
S
Safari Extensions – 4 Resources
Popup dictionaries, dual subtitles and more.
Search Engines – 11 Resources
Popular search engines used in China.
Sentence Search & Mining – 5 Resources
See how words are used in context.
Slang & Internet Language – 7 Resources
Slang, internet expressions, memes and everyday informal Chinese.
Songs with Pinyin & English – 6 Resources
Follow the lyrics, understand the meaning and sing along to Chinese music.
Stroke Order – See Writing, Stroke Order & Calligraphy
Study Abroad & Chinese Immersion – 7 Resources
Study abroad and immersion programs in China, Taiwan and the U.S.
Subtitles: Dual / Bilingual – 7 Resources
View Chinese and translated subtitles at the same time.
Subtitles: Tools & Converters – 6 Resources
Tools for converting, generating and modifying Chinese subtitles.
Survival Chinese – See Phrasebooks
TU
TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) Practice Tests & Resources – 16 Resources
Official mock tests, audio, vocabulary tools, test tips and more.
TV Shows & Live TV – See Dramas
Teachers & Tutors – 8 Resources
Compare options and pricing for online Chinese lessons.
Text to Speech Tools – 5 Resources
Hear written Chinese read aloud.
Textbooks in Print & Companion Tools – 10 Resources
Structured printed books for learning Mandarin.
Tone Practice – 13 Resources
Guides and practice tools for tone recognition, ear training and tone pairs.
Translation Quizzes – 2 Resources
Chinese-to-English and English-to-Chinese quizzes from beginner to advanced.
Translation Tools – 11 Resources
Find both machine and AI translation tools.
Tutorials – 7 Videos
Step-by-step guides for using Chinese learning tools.
Typing Practice – 6 Resources
Build speed and accuracy with practice tools and Shuangpin training.
V
Vocabulary: Specialized & Technical – 9 Resources Specialized terms for academic, professional and technical fields.
WX
Writing Practice Sheets – 16 Printables + 5 Resource Ready made grids for handwriting practice, worksheet generators and more.
Writing, Stroke Order & Calligraphy – 16 Resources Tools and guides for character formation, handwriting practice, stroke order and calligraphy.
YZ
YouTube: Channels for Learning Chinese – 14 Recommended Learn with channels for all levels.
YouTube: MP3 Converters & Video Downloaders – 4 Resources YouTube MP3 converters and video downloaders for offline use.
Zhuyin – See Pinyin & Zhuyin
HELP GUIDES
- Add a Chinese Keyboard
- Put Pinyin Above Chinese Characters
- Type a Chinese Character Without Knowing the Pinyin
- Type Pinyin with Tone Marks
- Add Custom Fonts to Anki Flashcards
- Change Your Device’s Display Language
- Find Chinese Fonts on Google Fonts
- Install & Remove Fonts on Mac
- Automatically Translate Chinese Messages
- Convert Simplified & Traditional Chinese Text
- Copy, Translate & Look Up Chinese Text in Images
- Open ZIP Files
- Add a Website to Your Home Screen
- Fix Safari Audio on iPhone or iPad
- Use Netflix to Study Mandarin Chinese
Need more help? See our Frequently Asked Questions for additional answers.
JUST FOR FUN
Chinese Seal Generators – 4 Resources
Turn Chinese characters into traditional-style seals.
Choosing a Chinese Name – 4 Resources
Tools and help for choosing a natural Chinese name.
OFF-TOPIC TOOLS
Off-Topic Tools – 3 Resources
Study tools beyond Mandarin, from transcription of audio/video, image details and research helpers.
A Note From Ashley
If Mandarin Mania has helped you, please share it with another Mandarin learner. Send it to a friend, classmate, or study group, or mention it on social media or Reddit. Every recommendation helps these resources reach someone new, and that is exactly what I created Mandarin Mania to do.
