# Flashonary - Chinese-English, Chinese-German Flashcard Dictionary

> Chinese flashcard dictionary for vocabulary learning and study material creation. (iPhone/iPad app by Total Universal.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashonary-chinese-english-chinese-german-flashcard-dictionary/id320888944 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Total Universal](https://appshunter.io/developer/320888947)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.40/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 142 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 314 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-07-03
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashonary-chinese-english-chinese-german-flashcard-dictionary/id320888944/reviews.md

## What is Flashonary?

Flashonary is a Chinese flashcard dictionary designed for learners of the Mandarin Chinese language.
It is the fastest way to increase your Chinese vocabulary.

Use Flashonary to look up words, create flashcards and study vocabulary.

Teachers can also use Flashonary to prepare vocabulary handouts and class materials.

KEY FEATURES

Dictionary

Look up words in the dictionary and save them as flashcards.
- Lookup based on simplified or traditional Chinese
- Edit any detail of any word. Add notes, examples, pictures, measure words, definitions, or references to other words such as synonyms, antonyms, abbreviations, erhua variants etc.
- Completely offline (no internet connection required).
- Chinese-English and Chinese-German dictionaries available in both simplified and traditional Chinese.

Flashcards

Learn words quickly, concentrating on those you don't know, while retaining those you do.
- Specialised algorithms that track which words you know or don't know well and prioritise the words you need to focus on. Don't waste time thinking about which words you need to study.
- Organise your flashcards with folders.
- See your progress.
- Import and Export Flashcards
- Store your study notes and other materials in your flashcard sets.

More (premium add ons)

Increase your efficiency and effectiveness with add ons.
- Tone Colors. Chinese characters can be colored according to their tone. Great for visual learners.
- Audio Pronunciations. Accurate audio pronunciations for all words in the dictionary and on the flashcards.
- PDF & Printing. Generate nicely formated word lists, traditional paper flashcards or handouts from your flashcards.
- Flashcard sets. Download flashcard sets. For those that don't want to create their own sets.

## Key features

- Offline Chinese-English and Chinese-German dictionary
- Create and customize flashcards with notes and images
- Intelligent algorithms for prioritized vocabulary study
- Organize flashcards with folders
- Import and export flashcard sets
- Optional tone colors and audio pronunciations
- Generate PDF handouts and printable flashcards

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chinese Audio Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tone Colors | $4.99 | one-time |
| Developmental Chinese: Elementary Chinese Speaking II | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Flashonary?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 📚 Comprehensive Chinese-English dictionary
- 🎯 Easy custom flashcard creation from dictionary
- 🎨 Tone color coding system for visual learning
- 🔊 Audio pronunciation feature (paid add-on)
- 📊 HSK level indicators for vocabulary
- 🎓 Effective learning tool for Mandarin students
- ⚡ Fast pinyin search functionality
- 🎯 Customizable study folders and organization
- 💾 Export and backup flashcard capabilities
- 🆓 Powerful free version with core features

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 💰 Expensive add-ons ($9.99-$10 for audio/colors)
- 📱 iPad compatibility problems
- 🔊 Audio pronunciation sometimes incorrect (5th tone)
- 🎯 Limited flashcard study customization options
- 🔄 Repetitive flashcard sequencing
- 📝 Difficulty restricting to simplified characters only
- 🖼️ Text size issues with traditional characters
- ⚠️ App crashes after purchasing add-ons
- 🔍 Dictionary search could be more intuitive

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently on iPad
- Crashes when opening flashcard decks after add-on purchase
- Audio add-on disappeared after update
- Traditional character display issues in flashcards
- Settings not accessible in app or system settings
- Text too small for traditional characters
- Crashes with iOS 7 compatibility
- Pinyin input lookup causes crashes
- Flashcard folders don't properly separate
- Missing text in landscape mode
- Occasional glitches when adding dictionary entries

**Most requested features**

- Stroke order display for characters
- Example sentences for all vocabulary entries
- Sync between iPhone and iPad devices
- Sequential flashcard review option
- Customizable flashcard display formats
- Progress tracking and mastery indicators
- Ability to add phrases, not just words
- Weighting system for mastered words
- Japanese language version
- Desktop/PC companion app with sync
- Ability to copy words from dictionary
- Better flashcard folder separation
- Customizable tone color schemes
- Batch on/off toggle for large decks
- Pinyin-only flashcard option
- Sample sentences in example fields
- Character radical and component information

## Recent user reviews (10 of 142)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashonary-chinese-english-chinese-german-flashcard-dictionary/id320888944/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Fantastic App

*2020-08-12, version 2.8.4*

This is an amazing app. It contains a lot of the stuff that makes learning mandarin fun and you do actually learn fast. 
It constrains all the techniques that will speed up your learning.
I absolutely love it. This app is exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you. 😊😊😊👍👍👍

### 5/5 — Fantastic for Mandarin/Chinese word lookup

*2020-06-07, version 2.8.4*

I’ve used it for many years.

I especially like that it tells you if a word is in the HSK exams and, if so, what level. That means that if you look up a translation you get an idea of how common a word is in Mandarin.

The flash card features are also great.

Thank you to the developers for years of help learning/maintaining my Mandarin.

### 5/5 — Please fix it!

*2018-07-29, version 2.8.4*

I’m giving this app five stars because it is really an excellent app, and I use it every day in China.  It has seriously saved my life for learning chinese and I recommend it to all my friends learning chinese there.  But it crashes constantly on my iPad! Please fix the bugs, it’s such a good app otherwise 😣

### 3/5 — Lots to love but...

*2018-02-20, version 2.8.4*

Update: it works well on my iPad Mini so I will upgrade from one star to three.  

I love the searchable dictionary, tone color characters (add on), print/PDF option (add on), and audio (add on). I even bought the HSK1 add on Flashcards pack.   All together I spent 28 dollars to get the tools I needed to study.  It was well worth it for an interactive study tool that I could customize for my needs.  The only problem is that after I bought the HSK pack, the app crashed.  It would not work at all and crashed each time I tried to open the flash decks (they were working prior to that add on).  I have emailed the company and would love to update this review with a positive outcome.  
Here’s to being hopeful...

### 1/5 — Audio????

*2017-12-26, version 2.8.4*

UPDATE: WHERE IS THE AUDIO. It’s gone. Try to restore, and it’s not there. Spent $10 for nothing!!!!! Felt cheated.

Old review:
I'd downloaded this app for a long time and haven't been using it till recently when I'm willing to part $10 for in-app-purchase pronunciation feature. Now, this is my favorite app for learning Chinese (even though I still miss my $10).

One star off for...

A) Some words do not have the most common definitions. (Easy work around by adding ur own definition.)

B) No upgrade since Dec 2011. I haven't found any bugs yet... But since iOS 6 is out I... I just want an upgrade to know that this app is still supported by an existing company/individual.

E) Wish it comes with flashcard sets of most common 5000 words or sets of hsk words level 1-5. But I do find that the process of creating ur own flashcard sets (looking up the words and double check the definitions) is part of learning Chinese.

D) I'm still unclear as to how and in what order the flashcards are shown in. Wish there is more than just two methods and that there is explanation / description for individual method.... So exactly what does the color on the left side of the word in the flashcard list means???

### 3/5 — Great app.

*2016-12-08, version 2.8.4*

This is a brilliant way for me to study words. Being able to add the words to a flashcard for future practice is amazing. But... after entering some words into a folder the app crashes every time I try and review.

### 1/5 — Was excellent but doesn't work now

*2016-10-22, version 2.8.4*

I can't get the program to stay open.i haven't used it in a while. So when it didn't stay open, I updated it. But it still won't stay open.

### 5/5 — A Must Have

*2015-03-22, version 2.8.3*

An indispensable tool in my language learning.
I recommend the audio addon.

### 3/5 — Ok...

*2015-01-23, version 2.8.3*

Easy to create a new folder with words you want to learn. I dont like the fact that the app doesnt have the sound effect for free so I cannot listen to how the words are pronounced. Also the flashcard folders dont actually seperate from one another which is quite annoying since sometimes I want to learn just a certain folder but it seems like the app doesnt allow it

### 5/5 — Very effective

*2014-11-26, version 2.8.3*

An effective app for learning chinese vocabulary.

## Frequently asked questions about Flashonary

### What does Flashonary do?

Flashonary is a Chinese flashcard dictionary designed to help users quickly expand their Mandarin vocabulary. It allows you to look up words, create personalized flashcards with detailed information, and study vocabulary efficiently using specialized algorithms.

### What are the key features of Flashonary?

Key features include an offline Chinese-English and Chinese-German dictionary, the ability to create and customize flashcards with notes and images, intelligent algorithms that prioritize words you need to study, folder organization for flashcards, and import/export functionality.

### Is Flashonary free to use?

The core functionality of Flashonary, including the dictionary and basic flashcard creation, is available for free. However, advanced features like tone colors, audio pronunciations, and PDF generation are offered as premium add-ons through in-app purchases.

### What languages does the dictionary support?

The app provides Chinese-English and Chinese-German dictionaries. Both simplified and traditional Chinese characters are supported for lookups and flashcard creation.

### Can teachers use Flashonary for their classes?

Yes, teachers can use Flashonary to prepare vocabulary handouts and class materials. The ability to create detailed flashcards and generate printable word lists or traditional paper flashcards makes it a useful tool for educators.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.8.4 — 2015-07-01

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

This is a maintenance release. It fixes common bugs.

FIXED
- fixed default folder not being reset when selecting folder for word.
- fixed unexpected exit when saving see also or measure word under some circumstances.
- added some data cleanup code to handle corrupt data in study and viewing flashcard list when there are orphan wordlist entries.
- fixed parsing of shangou (山沟）spaceless pinyin
- fixed searching for 'ng' not returning results

### 2.8.3 — 2014-10-29

This release improves iOS 7 backwards compatibility. It also fixes bugs.

FIXED:
- fixed title on see also screen was wrong.
- fixed hang on iOS 7 on older devices when opening flashcard word.
- fixed not being able to purchase addons when prompted.
- fixed popovers not working in iOS 7 on iPad.
- fixed save button in edit example screen on iPad.
- fixed unexpected exit when sorting if only folders exist.
- fixed level bands not updating in search results after studying.

### 2.8.2 — 2014-10-20

This release fixes bugs.

FIXED:
- fixed lietner shuffling.
- fixed unexpected exit on startup in iOS 7.
- fixed unexpected exit when reloading wordlist under some circumstances.

### 2.8.1 — 2014-10-15

This is a maintenance release. It adds support for iOS 8, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. 
It also fixes bugs.

2.8.1
ADDED:
- native iOS 8 support
- default folder now updates when changing directories

FIXED: 
- fixed intermittent unexpected exit in study mode when there are files in the flashcard set.
- fixed intermittent unexpected exit when searching.
- fixed intermittent unexpected in word detail.
- fixed unexpected exit in audio when pinyin has more syllables than chinese characters.
- fixed unexpected exit when import downloaded flashcard sets on newer 64bit devices.
- fixed space at top of wordlist view after adding folder.
- fixed see also relationship screen being cut off at the bottom and ghosted accessory marks.
- fixed print/pdf not being generated due to templates not being included in bundle.
- fixed dialogs for when settings conflict with disabled features.
- fixed error handling for when import file is corrupted.
- fixed cancel button not working in add file screen for iPhone.
- fixed files not being saved when adding to a selected folder.
- fixed write review on iOS7.1+
- fixed intermittent in-app purchasing issues afftecting some users.
- fixed flicker in iOS 8 when opening word detail.
- fixed sound not playing if more that one syllable in iOS8.
- fixed cell separator insets not working in iOS8.
- fixed animation when changing folders.
- fixed placement of close button in meaning field in edit definition screen.
- fixed definition cell height.
- fixed unexpected exit if edit button is pressed while opening word detail.
- edit definitions now handles and cleans invalid/corrupt picture entries.
- fixed flashcards being turned on by parent folders when they shouldn't be when turning on a folder with subfolders.
- fixed variable height cells on iOS8.
- fixed popupovers in iOS8.
- fixed searching for measure words not returning results when uppercase pinyin used.
- updated diagnostics.

### 2.8 — 2014-07-11

This release improves flashcard management capability and fixes bugs.

ADDED: 
- added ablity to move and delete multiple words/folders at the same time.
- updated dictionary

FIXED:
- fixed settings not showing in settings app.
- fixed intermittent hang in word detail.
- fixed intermittent unexpected exit in status bar.
- fixed wordlist toolbar not transitioning correctly on iphone.
- fixed incorrect modulation of 一流 in audio.
- fixed numbers not showing at begining of definitions in flashcards to indicate different definition.
- fixed bottom row hidden jumping off screen when going back into word list view.
- fixed traditional chinese display sizing on flashcards.
- fixed current search not switching between simplified and traditional when changing dictionaries.
- fixed flashcard study mode status counts not correct
- fixed wordcount > 2 in study mode check not being correct in all cases.
- removed duplicates from dictionary

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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.*