MDBG Chinese Dictionary review
A broad Chinese reference for desktop learners who need lookup, examples, audio, and practice tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
MDBG Chinese Dictionary is an online Chinese-English and English-Chinese reference for learners and readers, with free web access and desktop applications for Windows and macOS. Searches can use Chinese characters, Mandarin pinyin, or English definitions. Results cover simplified and traditional Chinese, pronunciation in pinyin or Zhuyin, playable audio, HSK levels, and character information. It suits desktop learners who want dictionary lookup alongside translation, reading support, and study features.
The free online dictionary covers Chinese-English and English-Chinese lookup, short-text translation, Chinese typing and pinyin input, text annotation, word-by-word lookup, flashcards, and HSK-based practice. Usage examples are available through Tatoeba, while the character dictionary adds radicals, strokes, Cantonese pronunciations, and decomposition. The web experience also has a mobile-optimized version, giving phone users browser access without making the product a native mobile app. Integrations and content connections include Microsoft Translator, Tatoeba, and CC-CEDICT.
The paid option is the MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary for macOS, priced at $15.95 as a one-time purchase. It adds offline lookup, searches across Chinese characters, Mandarin pinyin, and English definitions, and more than 120,000 entries in the full version. The Windows and macOS applications make offline reference the clearest reason to move beyond the free web plan. Choose MDBG for a focused Chinese learning and reading toolkit, especially on desktop; choose an alternative if native mobile apps or multilingual dictionary coverage are central requirements.
MDBG Chinese Dictionary pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Search by characters, pinyin, or English definitions
- Includes pronunciation, audio, examples, and character analysis
- Free web access adds annotation, flashcards, and HSK practice
- Where it doesn't
- Native iOS and Android apps are not part of the offering
- The paid macOS version costs $15.95 one time
- Its focus is Chinese-English rather than a broad multilingual dictionary
MDBG Chinese Dictionary fact sheet, pricing and score →
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