Which app should I use to learn Simplified Chinese vocabulary?

KoKo gathers +6,000 Simplified Chinese words translated into English, sorted into 38 topics and three levels, and brings each one back at the right moment. It runs on iPhone, offline and without an account.

Do I need an internet connection?

No. The words are in the app: you learn and review offline. Your progress is backed up through iCloud when it is available.

The app to learn Simplified Chinese vocabulary

KoKo is an iPhone app for learning Simplified Chinese vocabulary: +6,000 words translated into English, sorted into 38 topics and three levels, that you review just before you forget them.

KoKo also teaches Chinese in simplified characters, the ones used in mainland China and Singapore. Words are not conjugated and have no plural.

What you learn

KoKo’s Simplified Chinese vocabulary runs from everyday words to the language of study and work: 2,234 easy words, 2,432 medium and 1,374 hard. You pick your topics and your pace.

Grammar: 6 topics, including Core verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Connectors and prepositions.
Everyday life: 20 topics, including Politeness and small talk, Numbers and quantities, Time and calendar, Human body.
Fields: 12 topics, including School and learning, Work and business, Occupations, Sport and fitness.

The lists are free to read on this site: start with your first 100 Simplified Chinese words or browse all 38 Simplified Chinese topics.

Utilities

A preview: 12 Simplified Chinese words

Here are 12 easy words from the app, with their translation. Test yourself just below.

Simplified Chinese	English
是的	yesAffirmative answer
不是	noNegative answer
谢谢	thank you
水	water
米	rice
朋友	friendPerson bound by friendship, standard register
母亲	motherStandard register, the woman who gives birth to or raises the child
床	bed
钥匙	key
鼻子	nose
日	day
街道	street

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

How KoKo makes words stick

You first recognise the word, then recall it from memory. Once learned, it comes back six times, at growing intervals: the next day, then 3 days, 8 days, 3 weeks, nearly 2 months and 4 months later. A session takes a few minutes, and KoKo never offers more than 32 reviews a day.

How KoKo makes words stick

Free or paid?

KoKo is free to download. The “Home and furniture” topic (150 words) is open to everyone, along with reviews, reminders and widgets. The other 37 topics and custom decks need the KoKo Plus subscription; its price is shown in the app before any purchase.

Who it is for, and who it is not for

KoKo runs on iPhone, offline, with no account and no ads. It teaches vocabulary only: no grammar, no conversation. If you are after something else, compare before you choose:

Frequently asked questions

Which app should I use to learn Simplified Chinese vocabulary?: KoKo gathers +6,000 Simplified Chinese words translated into English, sorted into 38 topics and three levels, and brings each one back at the right moment. It runs on iPhone, offline and without an account.
Is KoKo free?: KoKo is free to download. The “Home and furniture” topic (150 words) is open to everyone, along with reviews, reminders and widgets. The other 37 topics and custom decks need the KoKo Plus subscription; its price is shown in the app before any purchase.
Do I need an internet connection?: No. The words are in the app: you learn and review offline. Your progress is backed up through iCloud when it is available.

The app to learn Simplified Chinese vocabulary

What you learn

Utilities

A preview: 12 Simplified Chinese words

Mini quiz

How KoKo makes words stick

Free or paid?

Who it is for, and who it is not for

Frequently asked questions

The app for other languages