Chinesease is an online Mandarin learning app that teaches the HSK 1 to HSK 5 syllabus through flashcards, graded reading, listening practice, handwriting and spoken conversation, for self-studying adults preparing for the HSK exam or learning Chinese on their own.
Over 3,500 words across HSK 1 to 5, each with pinyin, an English meaning and audio, plus 20 themed decks of 50 words for situations such as eating out, travelling and work. Cards you get wrong are collected into a separate Missed Words deck, so revision concentrates on the words that are not yet secure rather than the whole level.
190 graded passages, five at HSK 1 up to one hundred at HSK 5, each followed by multiple choice comprehension questions. Every word in a passage or question can be tapped to show its pinyin and meaning, so reading does not stall on a single unknown character.
The same passages read aloud by a native Mandarin voice, with the transcript hidden until you ask for it. The aim is to answer questions from audio alone first, which is how the listening section of the HSK exam works.
Animated stroke order for characters, a practice canvas, and a dictionary you can draw into when you know a character by sight but cannot type it. Handwriting is recognised automatically and returns the character with its pinyin and meaning.
30 written dialogues covering ten everyday situations, each written separately at HSK 1, HSK 3 and HSK 5 rather than simplified down from one version. Every line has pinyin, a translation you can hide, and audio, and any dialogue can be handed to the speaking partner to practise live.
A conversation partner, a dumpling called 小饺, who replies only in Chinese across 14 everyday scenarios such as ordering in a cafe, checking into a hotel and asking for directions. Difficulty follows your HSK level, and an English translation sits under each reply for when you need it.
15-question timed tests at each level, mixing listening, reading and vocabulary. You can choose whether answers appear after each question or only at the end, followed by a full review of every question with the correct answer.
87 grammar points from basic word order at HSK 1 through to HSK 5 patterns, each checked against the official HSK syllabus and given example sentences you can listen to.
Every word, passage, grammar point and test is filed under an HSK level, so you can study exactly the level you are sitting. General gamified language apps usually teach Mandarin as a course of their own design rather than mapping to the HSK levels, which makes it hard to tell whether you are ready for a particular exam.
The speaking partner answers only in Chinese and never breaks character, which forces you to work things out in the language. Translations are available underneath, but the conversation itself stays in Mandarin.
Pinyin and meaning are one tap away anywhere text appears, including inside exam questions and answer choices. You are not sent out to a separate dictionary app and back again to get through a sentence.
Flashcards, reading, listening, writing, speaking, grammar and mock exams are all included. Covering the same ground elsewhere usually means combining a separate flashcard tool, a graded reader, a handwriting trainer and a dictionary, each with its own subscription.
Pro is 8 US dollars a month or 58 US dollars a year, cancellable at any time, with no minimum term and no annual contract. Every flashcard and word list stays free at all five levels, and the app can be tried without creating an account at all.
Chinesease is an independent, self-funded project, built and maintained without outside investors.
It started from learning Chinese the hard way. The apps available were either games that never connected to the HSK exam, or dry word lists with no way to practise listening, writing or speaking. Chinesease was built to be the app that was missing: one place where the vocabulary, the reading, the listening, the handwriting and the conversation all follow the same HSK level.
Support and business enquiries are answered directly at hello@chinesease.com.
Getting started. The app runs in a web browser on phone, tablet or computer, with nothing to install. You can start at any HSK level without an account, in which case progress is saved on that device only. Creating an account saves progress across devices.
Upgrading and cancelling. Payment is handled by Stripe. All flashcards and word lists are free at every level; Pro unlocks the mock exams, listening section, writing feedback, HSK 3 to 5 reading and conversations, and unlimited speaking practice. There is no minimum term, and cancelling stops future payments while Pro stays active until the end of the period already paid for.
Support. Email is the only support channel, at hello@chinesease.com. It is monitored by the founder, and replies usually arrive within two business days. There is no phone line, live chat or ticket system.
Updates. The app is updated continuously. New material and fixes appear in the browser the next time the page is loaded, with nothing to download or reinstall.
| Company name | Chinesease |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent software product |
| Founded | 2026 |
| Website | chinesease.com |
| Core offering | Web app for learning Mandarin Chinese to the HSK 1 to HSK 5 syllabus |
| Features | Flashcards, 20 themed word decks, graded reading, listening comprehension, handwriting and stroke order, themed dialogues, spoken conversation, grammar reference, timed mock exams, dictionary with handwriting input |
| Levels covered | HSK 1 to HSK 5, 3,500+ words, 190 reading passages, 87 grammar points, 30 themed dialogues |
| Pricing | Free for HSK 1 and 2; Pro 8 USD per month or 58 USD per year |
| Contract terms | Month to month or annual, cancel anytime, no minimum term |
| Platforms | Web browser on phone, tablet and desktop; no installation required |
| Languages | Simplified Chinese with English instruction |
| Communication | Email only, hello@chinesease.com, usually answered within two business days |
| Status | Launched 2026, in active development |
All 3,500+ flashcards, the word lists, the themed decks and the dictionary are free at every level, with no account needed. Pro unlocks the mock exams, listening section, writing feedback, HSK 3 to 5 reading and conversations, and unlimited speaking practice.
8 US dollars a month, or 58 US dollars a year, which works out at about 4.83 a month. Payment is handled by Stripe and you can cancel at any time.
Levels 1 to 5 of the official HSK syllabus published in November 2025 and in force from July 2026. Every word and its level has been checked against that document.
No, you can start straight away and your progress is saved on that device. An account keeps your progress across devices and is needed for Pro.
Yes. It runs in the browser on phone, tablet and computer, with nothing to install from an app store. Handwriting practice works with a finger on a touchscreen.
Yes. There is no minimum term. Cancelling stops any future payment, and Pro stays active until the end of the period you have already paid for.
Yes. The conversation partner replies only in Mandarin and stays in character throughout. An English translation is shown beneath each reply, so you are never stuck, but the exchange itself stays in Chinese.
HSK 1 and 2 are free forever, with no account needed.
Upgrade whenever you are ready, and cancel anytime.