Yizi 易字 · for iPhone and iPad

Learn to read and write Chinese characters.

Recognising characters is not the same as knowing them. Yizi has you write them by hand, with spaced repetition, an offline dictionary and a built-in text reader.

Download on the App Store
  • 2,500+ characters to write
  • 120,000+ dictionary entries
  • Offline dictionary search

On Android?

Features

Everything you need to actually remember characters

01 Handwriting

Write every character by hand until it sticks

Learn how to write more than 2,500 characters with a spaced repetition system. With Yizi, you remember how to read characters, but also how to write them.

  1. 1

    See the reading and the meaning

    Each review gives you a word with one character left blank.

  2. 2

    Write the character from memory

    Draw it in the writing box. A hint is there when you are stuck.

  3. 3

    Review it when it is due

    Yizi decides when each character needs another review, so your time goes where it helps.

02 Dictionary

120,000+ entries, instant and offline

The integrated CC-CEDICT dictionary lets you search more than 120,000 vocabulary entries. Search is very fast because it needs no internet access.

  • Works without a connection
  • Keep the vocabulary you look up in mind with the built-in spaced repetition system

03 Text reader

Read real Chinese, and practise while you read

Import any text you like into the integrated reader. Tap a word you don't know to look it up, and tap once more to create a flash card that keeps the sentence it came from.

  • One tap to look up, one tap to save
  • Flash cards keep their context sentence
  • Hides the characters suited to your level so you write them as you read

04 iPad

Room to write on iPad

Yizi is optimized to take advantage of the larger iPad screens.

05 Motivation

Make it yours and keep going

Set a goal and watch your progress day by day. Pick a colour theme you like and add widgets to your home screen.

  • Daily goal and progress tracking
  • Multiple colour themes and home screen widgets
  • A character banner showing the characters you missed today, ready to review

Start writing Chinese today

Get Yizi on your iPhone or iPad, or print a practice sheet and pick up a pen.

Download on the App Store

About

Made by a learner, for learners

Hello, I am Stephane (aka thaos), an independent developer and language enthusiast. I created Yizi after noticing that I could barely handwrite any character despite having learned Chinese for more than 20 years.

I have put all my efforts into incorporating my learning experience and making the memorization process as fast and enjoyable as possible. Learning Chinese is a long and beautiful journey, and I really hope Yizi can accompany you for a part of the trip.

Thank you to everyone who helped and supported me during development, and thank you for reading this far. I would be happy to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions.

Get in touch