Resources
Flashcard decks
Every deck pairs a curated vocabulary list with definitions and pinyin
pulled from CC-CEDICT. Three flavors per deck:
Pleco tab-separated text, Anki
.apkg package (double-click to import), or
Writer JSON for stroke-order drilling in the bundled
Writer app.
Pleco import: save the .txt file, open
Pleco → Add-ons → Flashcards → Import / Export → Import, pick
the file, choose Tab-separated with columns
Headword, Pronunciation,
Definition.
Some characters in CC-CEDICT have no standalone entry (a few radicals in particular); those words are skipped in the Pleco export. The Writer JSON keeps every entry so you can still practice them with stroke order.
Apps & tools I use
Pleco
The dictionary and SRS that every serious learner ends up with. All the decks above are exported in its flashcard format. pleco.com
Du Chinese
Graded reader with built-in audio. The most polished of the tap-to-define reading apps. duchinese.net
HelloTalk
Language-exchange chat for finding partners in China who want to learn English. Real-conversation practice. hellotalk.com
iTalki
Marketplace for one-on-one tutors. A weekly session here changed my output more than any app. italki.com
Super Chinese / Hello Chinese
The two best beginner course apps. Either one works as a daily driver alongside Pleco.
Pimsleur
Audio-only conversation drilling. A bit dry, but speaking confidence comes faster than from any other format. pimsleur.com
ChatGPT / DeepSeek
For translation, level-down rewrites of authentic texts, and content generation at your current vocab. Better than Google Translate by miles.
Rednote (小红书)
China's Instagram, open to foreigners. Real native short-form content — great for absorbing slang and pop culture once you're past HSK 3.
Honest notes
I don't recommend Duolingo for Mandarin — the lessons are shallow and the gamification incentives push you toward streaks rather than competence. Pleco + a daily reading app + a weekly iTalki tutor will outclass it tenfold.
Have a resource to share?
If there's an app, deck, or tutor that's earned its place in your own stack, I'd love to hear about it. Easiest way to reach me is on X.