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.

PROS AND CONS

While, as a free application SmartHanzi offers a smaller choice than major paid apps, it remains globally best in class for the intended usage with a number of unique features not available in other applications.

MAC VERSION

A dedicated Mac version is on Mac App Store.