# HSK HeChinese Book 1 — Speak & Read Chinese directly. > Learn to speak and read Chinese directly, bypassing Pinyin for effective character acquisition. (iPhone/iPad app by Guilin Ouyang.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsk-hechinese-book-1/id454054540 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Guilin Ouyang](https://appshunter.io/developer/417876711) - Category: Education, Books - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 3.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 80 MB - Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China) - Released: 2011-09-01 - Data updated: 2026-06-05 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsk-hechinese-book-1/id454054540/reviews.md ## What is HSK HeChinese Book 1? HSK HeChinese Book 1 Learn Chinese speak and read directly. HeChinese Series: 1. HeCharacter (On AppStore); 2. HeInput (On AppStore); 3. HSK HeChinese Book1 (This Application); 4. HSK HeChinese Book2 (On AppStore). The best way to learn Chinese characters and words. Requirement: HeBook1 is the third application in the HeChinese series, you need to study "HeInput" the Typing Method first. HeBook1 uses HeChinese theory and skills to study and practice. Introduction: For Chinese language study, the study method plays a critical role; it may decide easy or difficult, effective or ineffective, success or failure. Starting from PinYin to learn Chinese is a Chinese study method, which has been used for decades worldwide, but it is not an effective way. Firstly, since PinYin letters are the same as English letters, so foreigners read PinYin with English sounds and tones, and it is difficult to change. Secondly, starting with and relying on PinYin leads students to be afraid of Chinese Characters/words; as a result, many foreign students are not able to read Chinese after a long time study. Thirdly, inputting Chinese with PinYin does not help to practice and to memorize Chinese writing, but does gradually erase the memory of words’ shape and writing. These are 3 reasons why the PinYin Chinese study method is wrong; actually, it is PinYin method that makes Chinese even hard to learn. PinYin was introduced in 1958, before that there was no PinYin in the Chinese study, nowadays when Chinese kids learn to speak from parents, PinYin is still not involved. So PinYin is not a study method for Chinese pronunciation in China in the past and nowadays. And PinYin has no relation with Chinese writing, so PinYin is not a study method for Chinese writing as well. HeChinese Study Method starts Chinese study from 25 characters, it now has a systematic theory and practical technology for Chinese writing & typing, for pronunciation, and for memorizing sounds and meanings. It evolved to have a HeChinese series of books, multi-platform applications, and quick HeChinese courses. Quick HeChinese course uses textbooks and applications for Chinese study, but an assistant teacher can do a great help for beginning learners. Each study book has an application tied up, and all applications are available on mobile devices and Web platforms. Quick HeChinese course is an easy, practical, and effective course for Chinese beginners. It has three steps: Step 1: in 4-6 hours, getting complete knowledge & skills of Chinese writing and typing through the HeInput coding system. Online web application: http://www.hezi.net/HeChinese/HeTraining.htm Step 2: in 10 hours (60 words), speaking directly from Chinese words to learn native Chinese pronunciation (No PinYin and tones involved). Online web application: http://www.hezi.net/HeBook1/ Step 3: By reciting short sentences to remember the sounds and meanings of Chinese words. HSK HeBook 1 (HeChinese Book 1) is the second textbook of the HeChinese series, used for step2/3 study; it has 25 lessons, includes the first 300 frequently used words, 450 phrases, 300 sentences. Each lesson has 12 new words, 18 phrases, and 12 sentences. 12 words compose to a short meaningful sentence, which is easy to recite. All phrases and sentences in each lesson are composed of words in the current lesson and previous lessons; it is easy to carry on the study. HSK HeBook 1 matches HSK 1 and HSK 2 main requirements, it helps students to learn Chinese from scratch to HSK 1 and HSK 2 levels. Using the HSK HeBook 1 textbook joint with its online web applications may achieve better study results. ## Key features - Learn Chinese characters and words directly - Bypasses Pinyin for pronunciation - Focuses on Chinese writing and typing - Systematic theory and practical technology - Multi-platform applications available ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | HeBook1 Lesson3 | $0.99 | one-time | | HeBook1 Lesson4 | $0.99 | one-time | | HeBook1 Lesson5 | $0.99 | one-time | | HeBook1 Lesson 11-15 | $4.99 | one-time | | HeBook1 Lesson 6-10 | $4.99 | one-time | | HeBook1 16-25 | $9.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsk-hechinese-book-1/id454054540/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Learn Chinese more efficiently! *2020-12-14* If you told me that I would learn Chinese without pinyin, I wouldn’t believe you. Yet having used this method, it’s far superior! I am now able to write, listen and speak far more proficiently then before. Cannot recommend this app and this system enough! ### 5/5 — Excellent App to learn Chinese pronunciation and writing *2014-06-02* I have recommended this App to my American-Born-Chinese kid who speaks a little bit Chinese and knows nothing about writing. I believe this App will help him pronounce Chinese correctly and write beautifully. It teaches Chinese character stroke sequences with a beautiful font. It has rich contents and is the best App among about 10 Apps I have reviewed. I hope it will roll out more lesions in the future. Thanks. ### 1/5 — worst ever *2014-02-12* WORST app ever! ## Frequently asked questions about HSK HeChinese Book 1 ### What is the HeChinese study method? The HeChinese study method starts with 25 characters and focuses on learning Chinese writing, typing, pronunciation, and memorizing sounds and meanings directly from Chinese characters, avoiding Pinyin. ### Do I need other apps to use HSK HeChinese Book 1? Yes, this application is part of the HeChinese series. You need to study 'HeInput' for typing first, as HSK HeChinese Book 1 uses HeChinese theory and skills learned from HeInput. ### Why does HSK HeChinese Book 1 avoid Pinyin? The app argues that learning Chinese through Pinyin is ineffective because foreigners often use English sounds, it can lead to a fear of characters, and it doesn't help with writing or memorization. ### How does HSK HeChinese Book 1 help with pronunciation? It aims to teach native Chinese pronunciation by speaking directly from Chinese words, without involving Pinyin or tones, in approximately 10 hours for 60 words. ### What is the age rating for HSK HeChinese Book 1? HSK HeChinese Book 1 has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and children. ### On which devices can I use HSK HeChinese Book 1? HSK HeChinese Book 1 is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, indicating compatibility with Apple mobile devices. ### How often is HSK HeChinese Book 1 updated? The app was last updated on May 19, 2020, with the latest version being 7.03. This suggests updates are not very frequent. ### What is the user sentiment for HSK HeChinese Book 1? Based on the limited data, the app has a rating of 3.5 stars from 2 ratings, suggesting a mixed to slightly positive user reception. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 7.03 — 2020-05-19 Fix a bug, change app name to HSK HeChinese Book 1. ### 7.02 — 2020-05-06 Replace few audio files. ### 7.01 — 2020-01-03 Fix a bug. ### 7.0 — 2019-12-30 Update text book's word list, phrases, and add sentences. ### 6.10 — 2019-04-13 Menu and functions improvement. ## Apps similar to HSK HeChinese Book 1 | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Learn Chinese – Studycat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-studycat/id547571511) | 4.5 (919) | Free | Education | | [Chineasy: Learn Chinese easily](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chineasy-learn-chinese-easily/id1318941705) | 4.8 (9,313) | Free | Education | | [iHuman Chinese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ihuman-chinese/id1139733348) | 4.8 (5,562) | Free | Education | | [대림대학교 수암도서관](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1035192000) | — | Free | Education | | [Colored Dots - by Ukids](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colored-dots-by-ukids/id1044534100) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Chinese Stories - Beginner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-stories-beginner/id964384700) | 1.8 (12) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Guilin Ouyang - [HeInput: Chinese Study & Input](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heinput-chinese-study-and-input/id417876708) - [Learn Chinese Characters](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-chinese-characters/id432786460) - [HSK HeChinese Book 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsk-hechinese-book-2/id460824400) All apps by Guilin Ouyang: https://appshunter.io/developer/417876711 ## Related topics [guilin ouyang](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/guilin-ouyang) --- *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 2026-06-05.*