Hanzii - Learn Chinese & HSK

Setup and Onboarding: What Happens the Second You Open It

Opening Hanzii for the first time presents a clean, dictionary-first interface. No lengthy onboarding tour. The app asks for no permissions upfront — not even storage or microphone. This is unusual for a learning app. The main screen shows a search bar at the top, a list of HSK vocabulary sets below, and a bottom navigation bar with tabs for Dictionary, Learn, Practice, and Community. The layout is sparse but functional. The app does not ask you to create an account immediately. You can start searching words right away. This frictionless entry is a deliberate design choice. It respects the user's time and lets them explore at their own pace. Within seconds of installation, you can look up a Chinese character, see its pinyin, definition, and stroke order animation. The app loads the dictionary offline by default, which means you don't need an internet connection to get started. This is a significant advantage for learners who may not always have reliable data access.

The developer, Mobile Learning, is based in Hanoi, Vietnam . The app's Vietnamese origin shows in small ways. Some UI elements default to Vietnamese on certain devices. The support email domain is eupgroup.net, and the company behind it, EUP Technology, was founded in 2016 . The app's focus on HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) reflects its target audience: learners preparing for the official Chinese proficiency test. The recent addition of HSK 3.0 practice tests (added in the latest update) shows the developer is keeping pace with the new exam format . The app supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, catering to learners studying Mandarin for Mainland China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong .

When the AI Grammar Checker and HSK Practice Tests Work Together

Here is where the app's internal logic creates a powerful workflow. The AI Grammar Checker lets you paste any Chinese sentence and get corrections within three seconds . The HSK Practice Tests include 200+ sets of simulated exams with timers and detailed answer explanations . These two features are designed to work together, though the app does not explicitly connect them. A user preparing for the HSK writing section can write a practice essay, paste it into the grammar checker, and receive instant feedback on errors. This simulates the real exam environment where grammar is assessed. The grammar checker explains why each error occurred and how to fix it, which is invaluable for self-study. However, the app does not save these corrections or track progress across sessions. Each correction is standalone. This is a missed opportunity for building a personalized learning history. The user must manually note their mistakes and revisit them later. The spaced repetition flashcards could fill this gap, but they are not integrated with the grammar checker. A user who corrects a sentence using the AI tool cannot automatically add those corrected phrases to their flashcard deck. This creates a gap between error correction and long-term memorization.

Another layer of complexity involves the handwriting recognition. The app includes stroke order animations for 214 radicals . A learner can practice writing characters and get immediate feedback on stroke order. But the grammar checker does not analyze handwriting. It only works with typed text. This means the app treats writing and grammar as separate skills, even though they are connected in real language use. A user who writes a character incorrectly by hand will not receive grammar feedback on that character. The app's strength is its breadth of features. Its weakness is that these features operate in silos. The original analysis emerges from combining them: using the grammar checker to refine HSK practice responses, then manually creating flashcards for corrected phrases. This workflow is effective but requires the user to bridge the gaps themselves.

The Reality of Daily Use: Performance, Ads, and the Changelog

Hanzii runs smoothly on most devices. The dictionary loads instantly, even offline. The OCR feature works well for scanning printed Chinese text, though it struggles with handwritten notes. The AI grammar checker returns corrections within the promised three seconds, provided you have an internet connection. The app does not display intrusive ads. There are no banner ads on the main screen. The only monetization is through in-app purchases: subscriptions for $35.99/3 months, $49.99/year, or a lifetime purchase for $56.99 . This is a reasonable pricing model for a comprehensive learning tool. The app does not aggressively push the upgrade. A small "Premium" badge appears in the settings menu, but there are no pop-up nags. This restraint is unusual for a free app and suggests the developer is focused on building a user base rather than short-term revenue.

The version history shows regular updates. The latest changelog, from June 2026, announces HSK 3.0 practice tests . This is a significant addition that keeps the app relevant for learners preparing for the new exam format. Previous updates likely addressed bug fixes and performance improvements, though the changelog does not detail them. The app has been updated consistently throughout 2026, with versions 6.7.8, 6.7.9, 6.8.7, 6.9.7, and 6.9.9 . Each update likely refines the AI models and expands the dictionary. The app's dictionary now includes over 200,000 words and 220,000 example sentences , making it one of the most comprehensive Chinese dictionaries available on mobile. The app's user base has grown to over 1 million downloads on Android and a strong presence on iOS .

Permissions, Privacy, and the Data Trade-Off

The app requests minimal permissions. It does not ask for storage, contacts, or camera at installation. The OCR feature requires camera access, but this is requested only when you first use it. The app does not require location permission. The data safety section on the Play Store states that the app collects location information, personal information, and two other categories of data . Data is not encrypted, but you can request deletion . The app does not share data with third parties . This is a mixed privacy profile. The lack of encryption is a concern for users who value data security. However, the app's minimal permission requests and the ability to request data deletion are positive signs. The app's privacy policy is not prominently linked within the app, which is a minor concern. Users who value transparency may want to see a clear privacy policy before using the app extensively. The trade-off is clear: you get a free, feature-rich learning tool, but you trade some privacy for that convenience.