打中文

How to Type Chinese on Phone and Computer (Pinyin Keyboard)

To type Chinese, add a pinyin keyboard: you type the pinyin of a word without tones, such as "nihao", and pick the characters (你好) from the suggestions. Every phone and computer has one built in; setup takes a minute. Type ü as v (nü → nv).

iPhone and iPad
1. Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard.
2. Choose Chinese, Simplified, then Pinyin – QWERTY.
3. In any text box, tap the globe key to switch to it.
Try it: Type wo and pick 我 from the suggestions.
Android (Gboard)
1. Open Gboard settings (long-press the comma key → gear).
2. Languages → Add keyboard → Chinese (Simplified) → Pinyin.
3. Switch with the globe key or by long-pressing the space bar.
Try it: Type nihao and pick 你好.
Mac
1. System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit.
2. Click +, choose Chinese, Simplified, then Pinyin – Simplified.
3. Switch with Control-Space or the Globe (fn) key.
Try it: Type zhongguo and press Space to accept 中国.
Windows 10 and 11
1. Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language.
2. Choose 中文(中华人民共和国); Microsoft Pinyin is installed with it.
3. Switch with Windows-Space; Shift toggles between Chinese and English.
Try it: Type xiexie and press Space for 谢谢.
Chromebook
1. Settings → Advanced → Languages and inputs → Inputs → Add input methods.
2. Choose Pinyin (Chinese).
3. Switch with Ctrl-Shift-Space.
Try it: Type xuexi and press Space for 学习.

检查Then check what you wrote

Write a sentence in characters and paste it into the Chinese grammar checker. If you type pinyin there by mistake, it offers the characters for you.

Common questions

Do I need to type the tones?

No. Pinyin keyboards ignore tones; type the letters and choose the right characters from the list. Typing more of the word (nihao rather than ni) gives better suggestions.

How do I type ü?

Use the letter v: nv for 女, lv for 绿.

Simplified or traditional?

Choose Simplified for mainland China, Singapore and the HSK; choose Traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong. You can add both.

Can I write by hand?

Yes. iPhone and Android both offer a handwriting keyboard for Chinese, useful when you know a character but not its pinyin.