Pinyin Pengyou

Communicate in Chinese characters, knowing only a little pinyin

This application adds a Chinese keyboard to your device with word suggestions and translations.

Learning Chinese ? Difficult to communicate in Chinese characters ?

This app provides a keyboard for learners of Chinese. Type the first few letters of a Chinese word in Pinyin and see possible matches with the full pinyin word, the Chinese characters (Hanzi) and a translation to help you chose the right word.

Many learners are not able to comfortably use the builtin iOS Chinese keyboards, because they require full familiarity with Chinese characters and their meaning. Pinyin Pengyou allows even a brand new learner with only a handful of pinyin words to begin to type Chinese characters comfortably on their iPhone or iPad.

Enable the keyboard in settings and give it full access so it can search the dictionaries. Use the keyboard in any iOS app, by selecting from the globe icon on the on-screen keyboard.

In the Pinyin Pengyou app you can select from a list of dictionaries up to a level which matches the words you have learnt. HSK levels 1 to 6 (and beyond). TOCFL levels 1 to 4. Pimsleur Mandarin up to level III. You may also add additional custom words and phrases with translations of your own. A dictionary of country names is also provided.

When the keyboard appears, start typing a pinyin word. Matching words with full pinyin, hanzi and a translation are displayed above the keyboard. Swipe the suggestions left and right to see every matching word. Tap a suggestion to enter the word, press return or space to just enter the roman letters typed so far. Tap and hold a suggestion to display the full definition over the keyboard, just tap the definition to dismiss.

Downloading the app is free, and without a subscription, only pinyin words will be entered into your documents. Subscribe to the app with either a low monthly, six-monthly or annual fee to enable the ability to write in Chinese hanzi. Press the info button to show the subscription offers if not already subscribed.

The app keeps track of how many times words are used and it suggests more frequently used words first. No data is transmitted beyond your device.

Please send feedback if you have any questions.

SWITCH KEYBOARD ANYTIME

Use the language (🌐) button in the on-screen keyboards to switch to Pinyin Pengyou.

USE IN ANY APP

Communicate or write in Chinese characters in any app on your iPhone or iPad. Type a few letters of pinyin and suggestions are displayed.

DECODE HANZI

Select Chinese characters in your input to see them written in Pinyin. Check what you have written, or copy into your input to read what your correspondent wrote.

FAQ