# Laowai Chinese Dictionary — Offline Pinyin, HSK & Reader

> Comprehensive Chinese language learning app with translation, grammar, and AI-powered study tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Dmytro Polianskyi.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laowai-chinese-dictionary/id1549549251 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dmytro Polianskyi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485562029)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 272 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-02-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laowai-chinese-dictionary/id1549549251/reviews.md

## What is Laowai Chinese Dictionary?

Look up Chinese anywhere — even offline.

Laowai is a free Chinese-English dictionary for learners who want to turn every useful word into progress. Search by Chinese characters, pinyin, or English meaning, save what matters, and practice it when you are ready.

FREE CHINESE DICTIONARY

• 124,000+ Chinese-English entries powered by CC-CEDICT.
• 106,000+ Chinese-English example sentences.
• Search by simplified or traditional characters, pinyin, and English.
• Definitions, pronunciation, related words, and stroke order.
• Fast offline access with no connection required.

SAVE AND PRACTICE

• Build personal vocabulary lists from dictionary searches and Chinese texts.
• Explore HSK, topic, and book-based collections.
• Use short adaptive sessions for translation, tones, listening, and character writing.
• Read Chinese texts and tap a word for pinyin and meaning without losing your place.
• Import and export word lists for class or personal study.

LAOWAI PRO

The dictionary and search stay free. Laowai Pro unlocks unlimited practice, widgets and Live Activity review, plus iCloud sync for your lists, texts, and progress. Subscription prices and terms are shown in the app before purchase.

Designed for small moments that make Chinese stick: a quick lookup after class, a list for the words you keep meeting, and a focused review when you have a few minutes.

DATA SOURCES

Dictionary data is derived from CC-CEDICT under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences include Tatoeba data under CC BY 2.0 FR and a first-party Laowai English corpus. Full attributions are available in the app under Profile > Data Sources.

Software: Arseniy Dorogin and Dmitry Polyansky
Design: Dmitry Polyansky

## Key features

- Text scanning with pinyin and translation
- AI word suggestions
- HSK level grammar
- Character search by pinyin or translation
- Detailed word etymology and synonyms
- Stroke order visualization

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 months subscription | $8.49 | per 3 months |
| 1 year subscription | $26.99 | per year |
| 1 week subscription | $1.49 | per 7 days |


## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laowai-chinese-dictionary/id1549549251/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Add language Vietnamese

*2024-12-10, version 4.1.1*

Hope have language Vietnamese

### 5/5 — Приложение супер!

*2021-08-29, version 4.0.5*

Пока не учила ничего, но на первый взгляд  — огонь! И по темам, и по уровням. Очень много информации! Супер! Буду учить пока ребёнок спит))

### 5/5 — Good

*2021-08-09, version 4.0.3*

Hope having more languages for users

### 5/5 — 🔥🔥🔥

*2021-02-17, version 1.0.2*

Бомба, а не приложение, для интересующихся - есть русская версия.

## Frequently asked questions about Laowai Chinese Dictionary

### What is the learning methodology of Chinese with Laowai?

Chinese with Laowai focuses on vocabulary acquisition and grammar through various tools. It offers AI word suggestions, curated word lists from textbooks and HSK exams, and detailed information on characters including tones and stroke order.

### How does Chinese with Laowai track user progress?

While the description doesn't explicitly detail progress tracking features, the app provides tools for studying and searching words, which can indirectly aid in monitoring learning. Users can build custom word lists for focused study.

### Does Chinese with Laowai offer certifications?

Chinese with Laowai is designed to help users study for HSK exams, which are standardized proficiency tests. The app itself does not issue certifications, but it provides resources to prepare for official HSK tests.

### What are the subscription plans for Chinese with Laowai?

Chinese with Laowai offers flexible subscription options: a 1-week subscription for $1.49, a 3-month subscription for $8.49, and a 1-year subscription for $26.99.

### Can I cancel my Chinese with Laowai subscription?

Subscription details, including cancellation policies, are typically managed through the app store where the subscription was purchased. Users should check their respective app store account settings for managing subscriptions.

### What devices does Chinese with Laowai support?

Chinese with Laowai is available on iOS devices, specifically supporting iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It was last updated on September 11, 2021, to version 4.1.1.

### What is the age rating for Chinese with Laowai?

Chinese with Laowai has an age rating of 12+, making it suitable for teenagers and adults learning the Chinese language.

### Does Chinese with Laowai have ads?

No, Chinese with Laowai is ad-free. The app is free to download and offers optional in-app purchases and subscriptions for enhanced features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0.5 — 2026-08-24

A clearer path from lookup to learning:

• Free offline Chinese-English dictionary with 124,000+ entries
• Search by characters, pinyin, or English
• 106,000+ Chinese-English example sentences
• Save words to personal, HSK, and topic lists
• Short adaptive practice for translation, tones, listening, and writing
• Tap any word while reading to see pinyin and meaning
• Laowai Pro adds unlimited practice, widgets, Live Activity, and iCloud sync

### 5.0.4 — 2026-08-21

Bug fixes

### 5.0.3 — 2026-08-20

A clearer path from lookup to learning:

• Free offline Chinese-English dictionary with 124,000+ entries
• Search by characters, pinyin, or English
• 106,000+ Chinese-English example sentences
• Save words to personal, HSK, and topic lists
• Short adaptive practice for translation, tones, listening, and writing
• Tap any word while reading to see pinyin and meaning
• Laowai Pro adds unlimited practice, widgets, Live Activity, and iCloud sync

### 5.0.2 — 2026-08-11

Laowai is now redesigned for English-speaking Chinese learners.

• Chinese-English dictionary powered by CC-CEDICT
• English, pinyin, and character search
• Chinese-English example sentences
• HSK, topic, book, and personal word lists
• Updated study, texts, widgets, sync, and subscriptions
• Your existing lists, progress, texts, and eligible subscriptions are carried forward

### 4.1.1 — 2021-09-11

- UI tweaks

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All apps by Dmytro Polianskyi: https://appshunter.io/developer/1485562029

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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 2026-08-26.*