Best Chinese Dictionary Apps

248+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good chinese dictionary apps. We benchmark 248+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Compare top Chinese Dictionary Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Pleco Chinese DictionaryPleco Chinese DictionaryFree4.7★ (1.9K)NoYesAug 2026
2Chinese - Mandarin LanguageChinese - Mandarin LanguageFree4.5★ (537)YesNoAug 2026
3Youdao DictionaryYoudao DictionaryFree4.7★ (17K)YesYesAug 2026
4trainchinesetrainchineseFree4.7★ (2.2K)YesYesAug 2026
5KTdict Chinese DictionaryKTdict Chinese DictionaryFree4.7★ (1.2K)NoYesAug 2026
6Hanping Chinese DictionaryHanping Chinese DictionaryFree4.4★ (5)NoYesAug 2026
7Zimu: Chinese DictionaryZimu: Chinese DictionaryFreeNoYesAug 2026
8Primary Chinese DictionaryPrimary Chinese DictionaryFreeNoNoMay 2026

Top Picks for Chinese Dictionary

Pleco Chinese Dictionary#1

Pleco Chinese Dictionary by Pleco Inc.

Handwriting, OCR, flashcards
Editor's Choice
🔍 Reference
4.7😊(1.9K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Pleco Chinese Dictionary screenshot 1
Pleco Chinese Dictionary screenshot 2
Pleco Chinese Dictionary screenshot 3
Pleco Chinese Dictionary screenshot 4
Pleco Chinese Dictionary screenshot 5

This app is a comprehensive tool for learning Chinese, offering integrated dictionaries, document reading, and flashcard features. It supports various input methods including handwriting and OCR, with extensive dictionary options and pronunciation guides.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Extremely helpful and useful
  • 👍 Comprehensive and detailed dictionary
  • 🔍 Excellent search and lookup features
  • 💡 Customizable and personalized experience

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive add-ons and bundles
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and freezing issues
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface and navigation
Chinese - Mandarin Language#2

Chinese - Mandarin Language by Dmitry Zaika

Dictionary & HSK Exams
Strong Contender
🔍 Reference
4.5(537 ratings)
FreeAds
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 1
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 2
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 3
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 4
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 5
Chinese - Mandarin Language screenshot 6

This app offers a comprehensive English-Chinese and Chinese-English dictionary for Mandarin Chinese. It includes features like audio pronunciation, stroke animations, and example sentences to aid vocabulary expansion and exam preparation. Supports multiple languages for a broader learning experience.

Youdao Dictionary#3

Youdao Dictionary by Beijing NetEase Youdao Computer System Co.,Ltd

Best Chinese Translator
Worth Considering
🔍 Reference
4.7😐(17K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 1
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 2
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 3
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 4
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 5
Youdao Dictionary screenshot 6

This app offers comprehensive translation and dictionary services across 109 languages. It features advanced AI-powered translation, AR and photo translation, real-time speech translation, and offline capabilities. It also includes specialized dictionaries and AI tools for learning and content summarization.

What We Love

  • 👍 Convenient and easy to use
  • 🔍 Comprehensive dictionary with detailed explanations
  • 💯 Accurate translations
  • 📚 Helpful for learning English

Room to Improve

  • 🤖 Mechanical-sounding pronunciation
  • 📢 Excessive ads and pop-ups
  • 🔒 Restricted features behind paywall

More Chinese Dictionary apps to explore

4
trainchinese
trainchinese
trainchinese
The best way to learn Chinese
Free

Learn Chinese with a comprehensive dictionary, flashcards, and OCR. Access example sentences, audio, and character animations. Supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, with customizable phonetic input.

Comprehensive Chinese dictionaryOptical Character Recognition (OCR)Spaced Repetition flashcard system
📚 Education
(2.2K)
free with in-app purchases
5
KTdict Chinese Dictionary
KTdict Chinese Dictionary
KTdict Chinese Dictionary
OCR, Flashcards, Trainer
Free

This comprehensive Chinese dictionary app offers effortless learning with extensive search capabilities, an interactive reader, and OCR technology. It includes dynamic flashcards and a Leitner system trainer to enhance vocabulary and retention. Enjoy seamless integration across Apple devices with a single in-app purchase for full access.

Comprehensive dictionary with 300,000+ entriesSearch in English, German, French, Chinese characters, or PinyiniOS handwriting and voice input
🔍 Reference
(1.2K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Hanping Chinese Dictionary
Hanping Chinese Dictionary
Hanping Chinese Dictionary
Offline search + handwriting
Free

Master Mandarin Chinese with this comprehensive offline dictionary. Features handwriting recognition, native speaker audio, example sentences, and tools for vocabulary building and character mastery. Unlock premium features for advanced learning.

Offline functionalityHandwriting recognitionNative speaker audio
📚 Education
(5)
free with in-app purchases
7
Zimu: Chinese Dictionary
Zimu: Chinese Dictionary
Zimu: Chinese Dictionary
Translate, read, pinyin & HSK
Free
📚 Education
(0)
8
Primary Chinese Dictionary
Primary Chinese Dictionary
Primary Chinese Dictionary
Instant Lookup,Works Offline
Free
📚 Education
(0)
9
Chinese Hanzi Dictionary
Chinese Hanzi Dictionary
Chinese Hanzi Dictionary
A dictionary for beginners
Free

Learn to write, read, and speak Chinese characters (Hanzi). This app provides comprehensive knowledge including meanings, pronunciation, stroke order, and vocabulary. It's a valuable tool for beginners of all ages to aid in study, work, and travel.

Learn simplified and traditional ChineseAnimated character writing with stroke orderDetailed character information (pinyin, radicals, definitions)
📚 Education
(350)
free with in-app purchases
10
Chinese Learner's Dictionary
Chinese Learner's Dictionary
Chinese Learner's Dictionary
Chinese Dictionary
Free

Master Chinese with this comprehensive dictionary and learning tool. It offers over 100,000 translations, 2,000 example sentences, and 220 grammar lessons. Search by hanzi, pinyin, strokes, or voice, and reinforce learning with interactive games and custom lists.

100,000+ word translations2,000+ example sentences220+ grammar lessons
📚 Education
(3)
free
11
Dictionary & Translator
Dictionary & Translator
Dictionary & Translator
Learn and Translate Languages
Free

Access trusted definitions, thesaurus, and pronunciations for numerous languages. Translate text and images offline or online, and enhance your learning with vocabulary challenges and grammar checking.

Offline dictionary and thesaurusCross-cultural text and image translationVocabulary challenges and grammar checking
📚 Education
(13K)
free with in-app purchases
12
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
HelloChinese - Learn Chinese
#1 Chinese Learning App
Free

This app offers a fun and effective way to learn Mandarin Chinese from beginner to conversational levels. It combines game-based lessons, stories, videos, and speech recognition to help you master pronunciation, characters, and practical conversations while exploring Chinese culture.

Game-based learningGraded storiesImmersive lessons
📚 Education
(23K)
freemium
13
Chinese Dictionary -Translator
Chinese Dictionary -Translator
Chinese Dictionary -Translator
English To Chinese Dictionary
Free
📚 Education
(0)
14
Hanzii: Learn Chinese & HSK
Hanzii: Learn Chinese & HSK
Hanzii: Learn Chinese & HSK
AI Tutor, Flashcard, Translate
Free

This AI-powered app offers a comprehensive suite for learning Chinese, including translation, a smart dictionary, flashcards, and exam preparation. It supports various learning methods and levels, from beginner to advanced HSK preparation.

AI-powered Chinese translationSmart Chinese dictionary with character breakdownsPersonalized flashcards and review system
📚 Education
(426)
free with in-app purchases
15
p8nda Chinese Dictionary
p8nda Chinese Dictionary
p8nda Chinese Dictionary
Learn offline with flashcards
Free

This app provides an offline Chinese-English dictionary with over 60,000 words and phrases. It features native audio, stroke order animations, and AI-powered translation to help users learn Mandarin effectively. Users can also create flashcards with spaced repetition for vocabulary review.

Offline dictionary with 60,000+ wordsNative audio for words and sentencesAnimated stroke order for writing
📚 Education
(1)
free
16
MingBai: Chinese Dictionary
MingBai: Chinese Dictionary
MingBai: Chinese Dictionary
Flashcards, Scan & HSK Study
Free
📚 Education
(0)
17
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Du Chinese: Read&Learn Chinese
Read Mandarin at any level
Free

Learn Mandarin Chinese through engaging stories with integrated tools for reading and listening comprehension. Access definitions, pinyin, native audio, and translations instantly. Build vocabulary with a built-in dictionary and flashcards.

Extensive library of Mandarin storiesContent for all learning levelsInstant pinyin, definitions, and translations
📚 Education
(4.5K)
free with in-app purchases
18
AI Hanzi Writer: Learn Chinese
AI Hanzi Writer: Learn Chinese
AI Hanzi Writer: Learn Chinese
Smart Stroke Practice & HSK
Free
📚 Education
(0)
19
Traditional Chinese Dictionary
Traditional Chinese Dictionary
Traditional Chinese Dictionary
100,000 words!
Free

Access a comprehensive Traditional Chinese-English dictionary with over 100,000 words. Get instant translations, hear audio pronunciations, and use it offline. Stay updated with modern terms in this lightweight, free application.

100,000+ word vocabularyInstant translationsAudio pronunciation
🔍 Reference
(14)
ad-supported
20
Chinese Dictionary: Translator
Chinese Dictionary: Translator
Chinese Dictionary: Translator
English to Chinese Dictionary
Free

Translate English to Chinese and vice-versa with this comprehensive dictionary and translator. Features include offline dictionary access, voice search, word quizzes, and custom keyboard integration. Save favorite translations and access a detailed user manual.

Offline English to Chinese dictionaryOnline translator functionalityVoice search for words
📚 Education
(2)
free with in-app purchases

FAQ about Chinese Dictionary

What are the best chinese dictionary apps for iPhone?
Pleco Chinese Dictionary tops our chinese dictionary apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 1.9K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top chinese dictionary apps we rank are free to download, including Pleco Chinese Dictionary and Chinese - Mandarin Language.
Pleco Chinese Dictionary has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 248+ chinese dictionary apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Pleco is an all-in-one Chinese learning application that combines a powerful dictionary, a document reader, and a flashcard system. It allows users to look up words, read Chinese texts, and create study cards for memorization, supporting both simplified and traditional characters.
Key features include extensive dictionaries with over 110,000 entries, full-screen handwriting input, live Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for instant word lookup, a document reader that supports various file formats, and a flashcard system with Spaced Repetition System (SRS) for effective memorization. It also offers stroke order diagrams and audio pronunciations.

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