Reading Tools

To make best use of this wiki as a modern learner of Chinese, there are several tools you will need.

Modern Extensible Browser

Use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome (both available for PC and Mac), because not only are they the best modern browsers, but they also have the best choices for powerful extensions (also called plugins).

Browser Extensions

Add popups to the Chinese characters on any web page:

Zhongwen (for Chrome)

Setup is super easy; just install Zhongwen (click on that link while using Chrome), and a button will appear at the top right of your Chrome browser window.

Click to turn on; click again to turn off. It's as simple as that!

Chinese Perapera-kun (for Firefox)

Installing Chinese Perapera-kun for Firefox is not quite as easy as installing a Chrome extension, but it's a great extension.

Make sure to follow the following steps to ensure that you have fully installed the Chinese Perapera-kun extension:

1. First, click here (using Firefox) and install this addon in Firefox (click “Allow” if it asks you if you want to grant it access):
2. Then click here (using Firefox) to download and install the Chinese dictionary (again, click “Allow” if it asks you if you want to grant it access):
3. After you have installed both, you need to close Firefox and reopen it.

From now on, you will see a little yellow star in the bottom right corner of your browser window. Click it to turn on the Chinese dictionary. Then just mouse over any words you see in your browser, and a popup will give you the pinyin and meaning. Very useful!