# SmartHanzi > Chinese text reader with dictionaries, etymology, and progress tests. (iPhone/iPad app by Jean SOULAT.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthanzi/id1118405987 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Jean SOULAT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1118405986) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Rating: 3.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 286 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-06-28 - Data updated: 2026-06-04 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthanzi/id1118405987/reviews.md ## What is SmartHanzi? SmartHanzi is a free yet professional grade app for students and anyone wishing to read real Chinese texts (web, PDF), even with a limited level in Chinese. It includes general Chinese dictionaries for English, French and German as well as the short definitions for DDB (Digital Dictionary of Buddhism) and CJKV-E (Dictionary of Confucian, Daoist and Intellectual Historical Terms). For scholars, it contains a demo (WIP) of Séraphin Couvreur's "Dictionnaire classique de la langue chinoise" which supports most of its translations with example sentences and their sources. SEARCH Search dictionaries by Chinese, pinyin or translation. PARSE AND LOOKUP After copying a full text, SmartHanzi provides immediate access to unknown words. Although it is not a learning tool, it shows links to related words (also in, contained) and character details: stroke order, character series (Kangxi, etymology). With this perspective beyond immediate usage, one gets naturally familiar with words and characters. Besides recognizing the correspondence between simplified and traditional variants, SmartHanzi also recognizes multiple traditional variants. For instance, searching 真 (or finding 真 in a text) will show both 真 and 眞, according to what is present in selected dictionaries. Or it will recognize equally well 為 / 爲 or 眾 / 衆. Texts or individual words can be read aloud with Apple voices. TESTS SmartHanzi includes tests based on HSK levels as a way to check one’s progress. Progress is shown on a monthly basis. Tests are short and errors reviewed first. One can choose longer tests, or to review unsure words or check supposedly known words. ETYMOLOGY Etymology is not only for scholars. Along centuries, Chinese writing has developed a number of reference points, reasonable or simply traditional, well known by most Chinese: "Se non è vero, è ben trovato". Trying to “learn” Chinese without leveraging this invaluable assistance would be an unreasonable challenge. Etymological indications and character series emphasize these reference points. All character series available for the current character are easily accessible. USER INTERFACE Lookup is easily customizable to just show preferred details and keep presentation clear. On iPad, landscape orientation, the app can show either in full screen (with both parse and lookup parts visible) or multiple applications: smartphone-like format side by side with the original text. MAC VERSION A dedicated Mac version is on Mac App Store. ## Key features - Read Chinese web pages and PDFs - Instant lookup for unknown words - General and specialized Chinese dictionaries - Etymological information and character series - Simplified and traditional variant recognition - HSK level progress tests - Text-to-speech for Chinese words ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthanzi/id1118405987/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Essential language study tool *2024-04-15* Ever since the HanZi app stopped being available, I have been searching for a replacement which enables me to read Chinese texts quickly without having to stop to search for a new word, and at last I have found it. Pleco has a similar product but is not as easy to use. For busy intermediate/advanced students wanting to read online, this product is ideal. I am still exploring it but to date it looks fabulous. Merci, M Soulat! **Developer response:** Thank you so much for your appreciation of SmartHanzi. Helping to read online is exactly the purpose of the application. ### 5/5 — Excellent resource for learning Chinese *2023-01-27, version 2023* This cross-platform application has a number of unique features not available in other applications. It is great for reading Chinese texts and for improving HSK vocabulary with its built-in testing feature. And all that for free?! ### 5/5 — Excellent app and a rare gem *2022-06-20, version 2022.01* Found this by accident, and it’s better than Pleco. The best things in life are free! ## Frequently asked questions about SmartHanzi ### What is SmartHanzi? SmartHanzi is a free application designed to help users read Chinese texts, even with limited proficiency. It offers instant definitions for unknown words, comprehensive dictionaries, and etymological insights into Chinese characters. ### Does SmartHanzi have ads? No, SmartHanzi is ad-free, providing an uninterrupted learning experience for its users. ### What dictionaries are included in SmartHanzi? SmartHanzi includes general Chinese dictionaries for English, French, and German, as well as specialized definitions from the Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (DDB) and the Dictionary of Confucian, Daoist and Intellectual Historical Terms (CJKV-E). ### How does SmartHanzi help with character variants? SmartHanzi recognizes correspondence between simplified and traditional Chinese characters, and also identifies multiple traditional variants for a single character, displaying them as present in the selected dictionaries. ### Can I test my Chinese knowledge with SmartHanzi? Yes, SmartHanzi includes tests based on HSK levels to help users check their progress. These tests are short, and errors are reviewed first, with options for longer tests or reviewing specific words. ### What devices is SmartHanzi available on? SmartHanzi is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, with a dedicated Mac version also available on the Mac App Store. ### How often is SmartHanzi updated? The latest version of SmartHanzi is 2025.11, which was last updated on November 4, 2025. Updates are released to improve functionality and add new features. ### What is the age rating for SmartHanzi? SmartHanzi has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in learning Chinese. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2025.11 — 2025-11-04 Dictionaries updated. Fixed: in text views (parsing), alternative selections are more precise. ### 2025.08 — 2025-08-13 Dictionaries updated. ### 2025.04 — 2025-04-01 - Fixed: 214 Kangxi keys show correctly. - Couvreur demo: cont'd. ### 2025.03.01 — 2025-03-05 Lists: presentation improved. Couvreur (wip): details added for sources. Bug fixes. Correction: the iOS version is not intended for Mac (see Mac App Store for Mac version) ### 2025.03 — 2025-03-03 Lists: presentation improved. Couvreur (wip): details added for sources. Bug fixes. ## Apps similar to SmartHanzi | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Smart Mandarin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-mandarin/id6738437655) | — | Free | Education | | [Hanzi Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hanzi-trainer/id1644679705) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Hanzi 1000](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hanzi-1000/id6502918931) | 4.7 (3) | Free | Education | | [HSK Grammar Exercise Book](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsk-grammar-exercise-book/id797491405) | — | Free | Education | | [Pandanese: Learn Chinese Hanzi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pandanese-learn-chinese-hanzi/id6462406945) | 2.7 (3) | Free | Education | | [HanziTime - Learn Chinese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hanzitime-learn-chinese/id1574081924) | — | Free | Education | ## More apps by Jean SOULAT - [DDB Access](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ddb-access/id1356043052) - [SmartHanzi-Kanjis](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthanzi-kanjis/id6477888783) All apps by Jean SOULAT: https://appshunter.io/developer/1118405986 --- *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 2026-06-04.*