Read Chinese with Inkdrift
Simplified stories with pinyin, definitions, and sentence translations — all built in.
How it works
Inkdrift is a reading app designed for Chinese language learners. Every word in every story has a contextual definition — not a generic dictionary entry, but one written for the passage you're reading.
- Tap any character or word for pinyin and a definition
- Hold a sentence for a full English translation with pronunciation
- Definitions are contextual — tailored to what the word means here
- Proper noun glossary for character and place names
- Reading timer to build a daily habit
- Works offline on iPhone and iPad
See it in action
3 Chinese starter books included
Each book is a simplified historical or cultural tale written for learners, with a complete dictionary built in.
水浒英雄 — Heroes of the Marsh
A retelling of classic tales from the Water Margin, one of China's four great classical novels.
敦煌石窟 — The Caves of Dunhuang
Explore the history and art of the Mogao Caves along the ancient Silk Road.
白蛇传 — The White Snake
The beloved Chinese legend of Bai Suzhen, retold for language learners.
Free to download. No subscription, no account required.