Free to start \u00b7 Only 5 minutes a day<\/p>\n

Go beyond Duolingo: read real Chinese at your level<\/p>\n

Each story is written for your level, so you understand it from day one. Stuck on a word? Tap it for pinyin, meaning, examples and native audio. No textbooks, no flashcards.<\/p>\n

Read my first story free \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Who Duolingo is right for<\/h2>\n
\n
Complete beginners who want a free, low-pressure start<\/li>\n
Learners who need a daily nudge more than anything else<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It’s not the right tool if you want to read Chinese, pass the HSK, or speak with natural tones.<\/p>\n
What to use alongside (or after) Duolingo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
App<\/th>\n Best for<\/th>\n Level<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
HelloChinese<\/td>\n A more structured beginner course, with better grammar notes<\/td>\n Beginner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maayot<\/td>\n One short story a day at your level, with native audio, a quiz and a writing prompt. Teacher corrections on Pro.<\/td>\n HSK 1 to 6+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du Chinese<\/td>\n A library of graded readings<\/td>\n Beginner to advanced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Chairman’s Bao<\/td>\n Graded news articles<\/td>\n HSK 1 to 6+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pleco<\/td>\n The best Chinese dictionary, with flashcards<\/td>\n All levels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skritter<\/td>\n Learning to write characters<\/td>\n All levels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
How to get more out of Duolingo<\/h2>\n
\n
Say every answer out loud, even when the lesson doesn’t ask you to.<\/li>\n
Turn off pinyin as early as you can bear to.<\/li>\n
From around unit 3, add one short reading a day in a graded reader.<\/li>\n
Look up words you keep missing in Pleco and learn the characters, not just the pinyin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n
Read real Chinese in 5 minutes a day<\/p>\n
Tell us your level (or take a quick test) and get a short story written for it every day. Native audio, tap-to-translate and a 1-minute quiz, so you can see it’s sticking.<\/p>\n
Get my free story \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Duolingo Chinese FAQ<\/h2>\n
Can you become fluent in Chinese with Duolingo?<\/strong>
\nNo. The course ends around HSK 3, which is a solid beginner level, not fluency.<\/p>\n
What HSK level is Duolingo Chinese?<\/strong>
\nFinishing the full course puts you around HSK 3, maybe touching HSK 4 vocabulary.<\/p>\n
Is Duolingo good for learning Chinese characters?<\/strong>
\nIt introduces them and has had character practice since 2023, but it doesn’t teach you to read connected text.<\/p>\n
Is Duolingo Chinese free?<\/strong>
\nYes, the whole course is free. The paid plan removes ads and adds extras.<\/p>\n

App<\/th>\n	Best for<\/th>\n	Level<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
HelloChinese<\/td>\n	A more structured beginner course, with better grammar notes<\/td>\n	Beginner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
maayot<\/td>\n	One short story a day at your level, with native audio, a quiz and a writing prompt. Teacher corrections on Pro.<\/td>\n	HSK 1 to 6+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du Chinese<\/td>\n	A library of graded readings<\/td>\n	Beginner to advanced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Chairman’s Bao<\/td>\n	Graded news articles<\/td>\n	HSK 1 to 6+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pleco<\/td>\n	The best Chinese dictionary, with flashcards<\/td>\n	All levels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skritter<\/td>\n	Learning to write characters<\/td>\n	All levels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n How to get more out of Duolingo<\/h2>\n \n Say every answer out loud, even when the lesson doesn’t ask you to.<\/li>\n Turn off pinyin as early as you can bear to.<\/li>\n From around unit 3, add one short reading a day in a graded reader.<\/li>\n Look up words you keep missing in Pleco and learn the characters, not just the pinyin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n \n Read real Chinese in 5 minutes a day<\/p>\n Tell us your level (or take a quick test) and get a short story written for it every day. Native audio, tap-to-translate and a 1-minute quiz, so you can see it’s sticking.<\/p>\n Get my free story \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Duolingo Chinese FAQ<\/h2>\n Can you become fluent in Chinese with Duolingo?<\/strong> \nNo. The course ends around HSK 3, which is a solid beginner level, not fluency.<\/p>\n What HSK level is Duolingo Chinese?<\/strong> \nFinishing the full course puts you around HSK 3, maybe touching HSK 4 vocabulary.<\/p>\n Is Duolingo good for learning Chinese characters?<\/strong> \nIt introduces them and has had character practice since 2023, but it doesn’t teach you to read connected text.<\/p>\n Is Duolingo Chinese free?<\/strong> \nYes, the whole course is free. The paid plan removes ads and adds extras.<\/p>\n