Pinyin Typist

Pinyin Typist

Type Pīnyīn with Tone Marks!

7 ratings
22 reviews
#200 in paid Productivity
🔧 Utilities
📊 Productivity
$2.99 $1.99

Price history


Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • June 23, 2011
  • August 6, 2023

Features

Pinyin Typist screenshot #1 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #2 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #3 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #4 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #5 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #6 for iPhone
Pinyin Typist screenshot #7 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
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About

Easily type Pīnyīn with accurate tone marks using system or third-party keyboards. This app simplifies writing Mandarin Chinese expressions, even without knowing Chinese characters. It offers a quick and intuitive typing experience for learners and educators.

Type Pīnyīn with tone marks
Integrates with system and third-party keyboards
Predictive text and text replacement support
Automatic tone mark placement
Easy tone mark correction
Copy and paste functionality
Supports Cantonese Yale romanization
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What's New in Pinyin Typist

3.10

August 6, 2023

* iOS/iPadOS 13 is now required. * In the Pīnyīn Typing tab view, the scrolling behaviour to bring the insertion point into view after the software keyboard is shown has been improved. * Support for recent Apple mobile devices has been improved. * On iPhone, in the Info tab view, text sizes have been enlarged to make the text easier to read. * Pīnyīn Typist is now integrated with iOS’s/iPadOS’s system Light/Dark Mode settings (Settings app > Display & Brightness). * The Pīnyīn Typing toolbar has been revised to better match iOS/iPadOS 16 keyboards.

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Charts

Top Paid

📉 200-1

Productivity

This app dropped -1 position in Productivity chart.

Last updated on July 1, 2026.

User reviews

Being able to directly get Hanzi using pinyin keyboard with Typist?

This does what it is described to do, but having the ability to see the suggested Hanzi would be so awesome! When I type in this app using the iOS pinyin keyboard I am able to get the tone marks but it replaces the entire pinyin word with just the tonal character. Is there any way to force it to just replace the single character ?
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Brilliant

This app is a godsend for making notes in pinyin on my phone. Not only can I easily choose the tone I want, it automatically places it in the right place.
The only think that would be nice would be a clear / delete option so you can quickly erase what you’ve just typed.

Useless

Doesn’t scroll on an iPad. Totally useless for writing more than 3 lines. Don’t waste your time on it.

Very helpful!!

We are new to Chinese and this is an absolutely fantastic tool. Thank you so much for all the hard work and thought that went into this to make it so useful!

Response from developer

I’m glad you found it useful! Happy Pīnyīn typing!

Excellent Tool!

I have used this app for many years. In spite of being able to read many characters I still find this to be a needed tool now and then. But especially in the beginning of studying Chinese it was invaluable.

FAQ

How does Pinyin Typist handle tone marks?

Pinyin Typist automatically places tone marks over the correct vowels and allows for easy correction without backspacing. It uses a simple tap system for tone buttons, making typing Pīnyīn feel natural and quick.

Can Pinyin Typist be used with other keyboards?

Yes, Pinyin Typist works seamlessly with Apple's system keyboards and also supports third-party keyboards like Fleksy. This allows you to benefit from features like predictive text and text replacement while typing Pīnyīn.

What is the price of Pinyin Typist?

Pinyin Typist is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. The app does not have in-app purchases or advertisements.

Is Pinyin Typist suitable for beginners learning Mandarin?

Absolutely. Pinyin Typist is designed to make typing Pīnyīn quick and easy, even for those who don't know Chinese characters. It's a valuable tool for writing down Mandarin expressions and focusing on pronunciation.

What devices does Pinyin Typist support?

Pinyin Typist is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It offers a native iOS experience across these platforms.

How often is Pinyin Typist updated?

The app was last updated on August 6, 2023, with version 3.10. This indicates regular maintenance and potential feature enhancements.

Can Pinyin Typist be used for Cantonese?

Yes, the tone buttons in Pinyin Typist can also be used to add tone marks for Cantonese Yale romanization, adding versatility to its functionality.

What is the age rating for Pinyin Typist?

Pinyin Typist has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including children and adults learning Mandarin.