Literate Chinese: Reading

Literate Chinese: Reading

Graded Stories & Flashcards

56 ratings
51 reviews
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

Released
February 6, 2025
Updated
November 5, 2026

Features

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Literate Chinese: Reading screenshot #9 for iPhone
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About

Master Chinese reading with graded stories and a spaced-repetition flashcard system. Learn new vocabulary in context, access native audio, and practice with interactive games. Supports both Mainland and Taiwan Mandarin, with options for Simplified or Traditional characters.

✓Graded stories matched to vocabulary
✓Spaced-repetition flashcard system
✓Tap-to-translate words with audio
✓Vocabulary arcade games
✓Customizable learning for Taiwan/Mainland Mandarin
✓Video lessons with synced subtitles
✓AI word helper for usage and nuance
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What users say about Literate Chinese

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+1

What's New in Literate Chinese

1.8.4

November 5, 2026

Smarter flashcards. Your reviews are now scheduled by FSRS, the open memory model built from hundreds of millions of real reviews and used by Anki. Every word gets its own difficulty, mastered words come back when they need a refresh, and a daily review limit keeps the pile manageable. Finishing a story counts as a review for the words you already know. Tap the study guide for a full breakdown of how it works. Two lock screen widgets: Word of the Day, and the new Example of the Day with the word, an example sentence and its meaning across the screen. Tapping either opens the word. Faster launch, a dark launch screen, and fixes and polish throughout.

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Subscriptions & In-App Purchases

Literate Annual

Full access to all content and features

$99.991 Year
14 Days trial
How to cancel Literate Chinese subscription ⁉️

User reviews

Best way to learn to read Chinese

I started using this app about a year ago and it’s becoming my exclusive app for learning characters. I love how it has stories written at all levels and you can filter based off your personal vocab bank. It’s a game changer. Highly recommend!

Response from developer

Glad to hear! We are currently working on weekly releases so keep an eye out for a lot more cool updates!

Best!

Best in respect being able to collate your own lists and readings such as being able to enter newspaper articles etc… best progress tracking system and for logging daily learning. Best price too and responses to technical issues. 👍👍

Fantastic for all levels

I grew up hearing Chinese from my mom but not being able to speak or read. I am incredibly impressed with this app to the point of having to actually write a review.

To the devs: this is such a fantastic app. Thank you for taking the time to create and maintain this.

To people thinking about trying it, do it! I never write reviews. Ever. But this deserved one.
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Love this app!

It makes learning Chinese so fun and easy to understand. I really enjoy how it teaches characters through stories and culture. The visuals are clean and engaging, and I actually look forward to opening it every day.

Wow

Very sleek style, and easy to navigate. I can’t wait for it to start expanding into other languages, like Japanese!

Developer apps

User experience

✨

Requested Features

2 requests

Add audio for words

Feature

Allow creating custom flashcard decks

Feature

FAQ

What is the learning methodology of Literate Chinese?

Literate Chinese combines a spaced-repetition flashcard system with over 1,000 graded stories. This approach reinforces new vocabulary by presenting it in contextual reading material, ensuring practical application and retention.

Does Literate Chinese offer progress tracking?

Yes, Literate Chinese provides detailed progress statistics, tracks user streaks, and shows a reading level that grows with the learner. This helps users monitor their development and stay motivated.

What are the subscription options for Literate Chinese?

Literate Chinese offers several subscription plans, including monthly and annual options, with varying prices and free trial periods. For example, 'Literate Early User Monthly' is $8.99/month with a 7-day free trial, and 'Literate Annual' is $99.99/year with a 14-day free trial.

Is Literate Chinese suitable for learners in Taiwan?

Absolutely. Literate Chinese offers full support for Traditional characters and Zhuyin (Bopomofo), includes Taiwan Mandarin audio with authentic pronunciations, and features Taiwan-specific vocabulary lists. The app can adapt stories to Taiwan or Mainland Chinese based on user settings.

How often is Literate Chinese updated?

The app was last updated on November 5, 2026, indicating a recent update. Users can expect frequent improvements and new content based on the developer's track record.

What age rating does Literate Chinese have?

Literate Chinese has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of learners. The app's educational content is designed to be accessible and engaging for younger and older users alike.

Does Literate Chinese have ads?

No, Literate Chinese is ad-free. The app explicitly states 'no ads' in its features list, ensuring an uninterrupted learning experience for all users.

Can I share my custom word lists with others?

Yes, you can share your custom word lists with a code or link. This feature allows classes or friends to study the same vocabulary together, facilitating collaborative learning.