# Chinese Stories - Elementary

> Mandarin Chinese e-books for learners with interactive features and progress tracking. (iPhone/iPad app by Chinese Stories Publishing Co., Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-elementary/id626627934 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chinese Stories Publishing Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/455650579)
- Category: Education, Books
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 39 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-05-03
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-elementary/id626627934/reviews.md

## What is Chinese Stories?

If you are learning Mandarin Chinese, our monthly E-books will provide you with the best learning experiences.

Now we have two different levels of E-book collection, which are Elementary and intermediate. As for Advanced level, it is coming soon in six months. You can purchase the E-book in accordance with your language proficiency.

The language used is carefully selected to correspond to official levels. For texts in Simplified Chinese, the characters are chosen in accordance with New HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) levels in Mainland China. Our Elementary level corresponds to New HSK level 3, and Intermediate level to New HSK level 4.

As for Traditional Chinese version, the words used are also carefully chosen on the basis of the TOP (the Test of Proficiency-Huayu) standard in Taiwan. Our Elementary level corresponds to TOP elementary level, and Intermediate level to TOP intermediate level. 

Each E-book has 12 stories, and each story contains 450~500 Chinese characters.

Our Chinese learning E-books have features as followed: 

1.  Click on a colored words, and we will show you its English definition, pinyin, part of speech, sentences, and its HSK/TOP level.
2.  Click on “More,” and you get to know different meanings of the same word.
3.  You can save words you don’t know or aren’t familiar with to memorize later.
4.  Click on hyperlinks of proper nouns such as place names or celebrity names, and learn more about Chinese geography, culture, and history while reading Chinese stories.
5.  Every story comes with full English translation and pinyin.
6.  We track your progress. After reading each article, a five-question quiz will test how well your understanding of the story is and will keep a record of your first-time test result. 
7.  The audio version of each story enables you to listen to standard Chinese and to train your Chinese listening skill.

## Key features

- Interactive word definitions with pinyin and HSK/TOP levels
- Save unfamiliar words for later memorization
- Learn about Chinese culture and history through proper nouns
- Full English translations and pinyin for every story
- Comprehension quizzes with progress tracking
- Audio versions for listening practice

## Recent user reviews (10 of 14)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-elementary/id626627934/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Crashed

*2020-12-08, version 1.6.1*

This app and the others crash on opening.

### 1/5 — Bad

*2020-08-31, version 1.6.1*

Down load but cannot open ???

### 1/5 — Please please update this app.

*2019-06-11, version 1.6.1*

Please update this app. It won’t open on the current version of iOS and I am so sad... I love learning chinese with these stories. Thank you.

### 1/5 — Not good enough

*2019-02-03, version 1.6.1*

It doesn’t work on my phone because whenever I tap on it it would go back to settings 😭 so now I can’t read it in peace

### 5/5 — Ye yè...h

*2018-08-17*

He died yesterday, (2days ago)  on August 15,2018…

### 1/5 — DOESNT WORK

*2018-07-26, version 1.6.1*

every time I click on the app, it immediately exits out. I did a hard reset on my phone and removed the app as well.

### 3/5 — Latest version doesn’t work with iOS

*2018-04-24, version 1.6.1*

Help!

### 1/5 — Does not work anymore

*2017-12-01, version 1.6.1*

This app used to work very well before iOS11. However, it crashes whenever I try opening it. I had purchased quite a few stories within the app. Now all are gone.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2015-12-04, version 1.4*

Really love this app and I feel so lucked out that this app is free. The app offers to tell traditional Chinese stories with the Chinese characters and the pinyin (or the English displayed), and that is while reading the story to you all at once. If that's not awesome enough, scattered throughout the story, words that the app think might be new vocabulary are also highlighted. With mere a simple click at it, while maintaining on the same page, a small box will pop up displaying that character's definition, its pinyin, the English translation and even have two sentences serving as examples as to how to use those words. All you need to do is click outside the pop up box and then you can resume right where you left off. If those aren't good customer service, I don't know what is. I have full faith that as long as I diligently use this app to its fullest potential, my Chinese would definitely improve by leaps and bounds.

Whoever want to learn Chinese without having to memorize a Chinese dictionary should definitely check this app out. Lastly, thank you for creating such an amazing app, guys.

### 3/5 — why two products?

*2015-11-02, version 1.3.2*

i found in appstore 2 kind of chinese story what is the different?

## Frequently asked questions about Chinese Stories

### What is the learning methodology of Chinese Stories?

Chinese Stories uses e-books with carefully selected vocabulary corresponding to official HSK and TOP levels. Interactive features like word definitions and quizzes aid comprehension and retention.

### How does Chinese Stories track user progress?

After reading each story, a five-question quiz assesses understanding, and the app keeps a record of your first-time test results to monitor progress.

### What are the different levels offered in Chinese Stories?

Chinese Stories offers Elementary and Intermediate levels, with an Advanced level planned for release within six months. The Elementary level aligns with New HSK level 3 and TOP elementary, while Intermediate aligns with New HSK level 4 and TOP intermediate.

### Does Chinese Stories have ads?

No, Chinese Stories does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What devices is Chinese Stories available on?

Chinese Stories is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is Chinese Stories updated?

The latest version, 1.6.1, was released on September 13, 2016. The app was initially released on May 3, 2013.

### What is the age rating for Chinese Stories?

Chinese Stories is rated 4+ and is suitable for users aged four and above.

### What information is available when clicking on a colored word in Chinese Stories?

Clicking a colored word reveals its English definition, pinyin, part of speech, example sentences, and its HSK/TOP level. You can also explore different meanings of the same word.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.1 — 2016-09-13

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Bug fixed.

### 1.6.0 — 2016-07-21

New note function! Now you can add notes on articles.

### 1.5.2 — 2016-03-28

UI optimize

### 1.5 — 2016-01-29

- Minor bug fixes.

### 1.4 — 2015-11-15

- Minor bug fixes.
- Modify layout for b2b user

## Apps similar to Chinese Stories

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
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## More apps by Chinese Stories Publishing Co., Ltd.

- [Chinese Stories - Intermediate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-intermediate/id635821505)
- [Spot Chinese Phrase](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spot-chinese-phrase/id943925485)
- [Chinese Stories - Beginner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-beginner/id964384700)
- [Chinese Stories Learn Mandarin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-learn-mandarin/id1199340177)

All apps by Chinese Stories Publishing Co., Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/455650579

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*