Zhongwen: The Popular Chinese Learning Tool

Official Firefox port of the Zhongwen Chrome extension (http://github.com/cschiller/zhongwen). Translate Chinese characters by hovering over them with the mouse. Includes internal word list, links to Chinese Grammar Wiki, tone colors, and more.
What is Zhongwen: The Popular Chinese Learning Tool?
Zhongwen: The Popular Chinese Learning Tool is a versatile Firefox add-on designed for learning Chinese. It translates characters in real-time as you hover over them, supporting both simplified and traditional characters. It offers an internal word list to study, keyboard navigation for seamless reading, Pinyin in color-coded tones for pronunciation, and connections to the Chinese Grammar Wiki. You can turn it on/off with a single click, broadening your language learning experience.

Add-on stats

Users: 5,699 ▲ 42
Version: 5.15 (Last updated: 2023-12-30)
Creation date: 2019-03-02
Weekly download count: 102
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • contextMenus
  • tabs
Size: 5.43M
URLs: Website

Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Add-on summary

This extension lets you translate Chinese charaters on a web page by hovering over them with the mouse. It also allows you to add Chinese words to an internal word list for studying them later. It also contains links to the Chinese Grammar Wiki.

In order to activate this extension, click on the extension icon in the upper right-hand corner of your Firefox browser. If activated, you will see a red label displaying the word "On". In order to turn it off, just click on the icon again.

Highlights

  • Supports both traditional and simplified characters.
  • Includes a recent version of the widely used CEDICT Chinese English dictionary.
  • Displays Hanyu Pinyin along both the simplified and traditional characters, however only showing either simplified or traditional characters can be configured as an option.
  • As a learning aid it uses different colors for displaying the Pinyin syllables, depending on the tone of the Chinese character.
  • Can be turned on and off with a single mouse-click.
  • Highlights the characters whose translation is displayed in the pop-up window.
  • Also supports keyboard navigation for translating the next character, the next word, or the previous character.
  • Allows you to add words to a built-in word list. Words from this list can be exported to a text file for further processing, such as importing the words into Anki.
  • Includes links to grammar and usage notes on the Chinese Grammar Wiki See more

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Powerful language learning tool for Mandarin
  • Instantly translates Chinese characters
  • Saves time and money compared to traditional dictionaries
  • Convenient and helpful for navigating the Chinese internet
  • Ability to save words for later learning
Cons
  • Doesn't show an icon in the toolbar or have activation options
  • Occasionally provides references to other entries instead of clear definitions
  • Not functioning immediately after installation for some users
Most mentioned
  • Effectiveness in learning Mandarin
  • Issues with visibility and usability of the extension
  • Desire for improved functionality (like selecting multiple words)
Recent reviews
by Lee Hanxue, 2024-11-17

by Mouhssine, 2024-11-14

I'm going to glaze this extension. This is one of most powerful language learning tool you can have at your disposable when it comes to learning Mandarin. It's so simple and so effective at the same time. It really just translates Chinese character instantly. I mean, I used to used a paper dictionary, and then an online dictionary. I was almost tempted to buy one of those translator pens. This extension quite literally saved me a lot of time and a few dollars. Now I'm reading the "About this extension" page and I found out you can save words by clicking "r" Whoever made this extension, please let me support you. You have no idea how grateful I am.
View all user reviews

Add-on safety

Risk impact

Zhongwen: The Popular Chinese Learning Tool requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Zhongwen: The Popular Chinese Learning Tool has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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