Best AI Language Learning Apps for Chinese Learners in 2025

Chinese is spoken by over 1.3 billion people worldwide and is one of the most valuable languages for travel, business, and cultural exploration. With growing global interest in learning Chinese, many language learners are now turning to AI-powered tools to accelerate their progress. Whether you're a beginner or seeking to improve your fluency, AI Chinese tutors are transforming the way we study—making learning faster, smarter, and more personalized than ever before.

As a Chinese learner of over 7+ years, I’ll break down the best AI language apps for learning Chinese, with a spotlight on why Pingo AI is the best way to learn Chinese through real conversations, adaptive lessons, and immersive practice.

Why Use AI for Learning Chinese?

Before jumping into the top AI apps, let's explore why artificial intelligence is revolutionizing language learning.

AI language learning tools adapt to your skill level, monitor your progress, and provide real-time corrections. Whether you're practicing pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, AI Chinese tutors offer targeted feedback to help you improve faster. With all the nuances that come with learning Chinese compared to other languages, this targeted feedback on aspects like pronunciation is crucial—the slightest mistakes in pronunciation can completely change the meaning of certain words.

Unlike traditional language classes, AI Chinese conversation apps let you practice speaking anytime, anywhere, without needing a live tutor. You can learn Chinese with AI at your own pace—whether through roleplay exercises, structured lessons, or vocab practice—all while receiving personalized feedback. Most people say that speaking Chinese is the fastest way to build proficiency, and through my own experience I find this to be undeniably true.

With so many AI language apps now available, there's no doubt that you can find an AI Chinese teacher that fits your goals. I'm just here to help you sift through your options.

What Is the Best AI for Learning Chinese?

If you're serious about learning Chinese, choosing the best AI Chinese learning app is essential. Whether you're studying Chinese for travel, work, or personal growth, these three apps are well worth considering.

#1: Pingo AI

Pingo AI is our top pick for the best AI Chinese tutor on the market. It combines conversation practice with personalized lessons, helping you build fluency and confidence faster. Whether you're preparing for a trip to Beijing, applying for work opportunities in Shanghai, or simply aiming to converse naturally with native speakers, Pingo AI provides a powerful and flexible way to learn Chinese by speaking with AI.

Key Features:

AI Language Tutor: Talk with a highly expressive AI that mimics native Chinese speakers. Choose between Roleplay Mode and Tutor Mode based on your learning goals.
- Roleplay Mode: Practice real-life Chinese conversations such as ordering food, asking for directions, or casual chatting. Receive instant corrections and actionable feedback after each session to continuously strengthen your skills. Pingo AI can even use specific accents from different regions in China!
- Tutor Mode: Focus on learning essential grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation from the ground up. This mode is ideal for beginners or anyone brushing up on Chinese fundamentals, or wanting to learn a new topic from scratch. Combined with Roleplay Mode, it offers a full-skill development experience.
Adjustable Difficulty: Set your level so that the AI meets you exactly where you are—perfect for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners alike.
- Pingo AI also has optional built-in tools for when you're feeling stuck in a conversation: pull up a transcript and get clarity on specific words, or get help from the AI on understanding its last sentence and for ideas on what you can say next
Custom Scenarios: Choose from preset dialogues or create your own, allowing you to practice Chinese in situations that are personally meaningful.
Detailed Feedback and Flashcards: Structured and specific feedback after every conversation ensures you always know where to improve. After a session lesson mode, use the custom-generated flashcards to practice the new vocabulary you learned.
Free Trial: Try Pingo AI for free before committing to a subscription—no upfront payment required.

Cons:

Subscription Required: After the free trial, a subscription is needed for full access. This may not suit those looking for completely free AI language tools.
Limited Language Selection: Pingo prioritizes quality over quantity. While Chinese learning is excellent, those seeking multiple niche languages may find the selection more limited compared to other apps.

Images showing various features of the Pingo AI app—from starting a conversation and interacting with the AI, to getting help through the transcript and receiving custom feedback.

Pingo AI guides you through every aspect of your language learning journey, from generating conversation topics to guiding you through speaking in basic dialogues and creating flashcards to practice your vocabulary.

#2: Languatalk

Languatalk has expanded its offerings to include an AI-powered conversation platform alongside its human tutoring services, making it a strong option for learners who want flexibility between AI practice and live lessons.

Pros of Languatalk for Learning Chinese:

Conversation-Based AI Practice: Engage in realistic Chinese dialogues, including roleplays, debates, and free chat scenarios. This setup helps learners build natural speaking skills without needing an appointment with a live tutor.
Flexible Interaction Options: Respond to the AI either by speaking or typing, allowing for low-pressure speaking practice and confidence-building.
Integrated Vocabulary Support: As you practice, new vocabulary is captured and turned into flashcards for ongoing review and reinforcement.
Grammar and Pronunciation Feedback: Get immediate corrections and translations during conversation, helping you fine-tune your speaking and understanding skills.

Cons of Languatalk for Learning Chinese:

Not Fully Voice-Based: While you speak to the AI, its responses are a mixed medium of text, which can reduce the realism of conversations compared to full voice interaction platforms.
Not Optimized for Chinese: While Chinese is an available option in the app, Langua states that Chinese has not yet been tested and launched, meaning it won't work perfectly or be fully accurate.
Not Ideal for Beginners: Languatalk’s AI assumes some basic familiarity with vocabulary and grammar, making it better suited for learners at the high-beginner or intermediate stage. This makes it difficult to use Langua when starting from scrath
Higher Cost: While the app has free usage, unlimited AI access costs $29.90/month, which is higher than many alternatives. Limited usage plans still carry a premium price point at $19.99/month compared to apps like Pingo AI.

A collection of screenshots highlighting various features of the LanguaAI app used for learning Chinese.

Languatalk’s AI supports Chinese learners with realistic conversation practice through prompts, roleplay scenarios, and feedback, along with tools for tracking vocabulary and reviewing flashcards.

#3: ChatGPT

ChatGPT remains one of the most versatile AI tools for learning Chinese. Though it wasn't specifically designed for language education, many learners use ChatGPT as an AI Chinese tutor for conversation practice, vocabulary expansion, and grammar help.

Pros of ChatGPT for Learning Chinese:

Flexible Practice: ChatGPT can engage in basic Chinese conversations, correct grammar (if asked), and help explain complex sentence structures. Learners at different levels can tailor practice sessions to their needs.
Voice Mode (Subscription Required): ChatGPT Plus or Pro users can access Voice Mode, allowing spoken practice, although the tone and cadence may feel somewhat robotic.
Free Basic Version: A free tier is available, making it easy to start practicing AI Chinese conversation without upfront costs.
Highly Customizable: You can customize your study sessions by prompting the AI with specific roleplays like “pretend you’re a Chinese restaurant server” or “practice a travel conversation in Mandarin.”

Cons of ChatGPT for Learning Chinese:

No Structured Curriculum: Without structured lessons or progress tracking, you’ll need to set your own goals and manage your study plan.
Limited Speaking Practice: Even with Voice Mode, ChatGPT’s speaking flow is not as natural as a native speaker or AI specifically tuned for real-world dialogue.
Feedback Must Be Requested: Grammar corrections and vocabulary feedback must be specifically requested each time, making practice feel slower compared to specialized AI language apps.
Accuracy: Chinese grammar can sometimes be complicated. While ChatGPT won't making egregious grammatical mistakes, it sometimes can use slightly awkward sentence structures that aren't particularly common or correct.
Minimal Cultural Insights: ChatGPT does not provide detailed cultural knowledge, such as appropriate honorifics, conversational norms, or idiomatic expressions used in Chinese-speaking environments.
High Cost for Speaking: To get top-tier speaking practice, users must purchase ChatGPT Plus or Pro, which carry a heftier price tag than apps like Pingo AI.

A set of screenshots showing ChatGPT in action for learning Chinese.

ChatGPT offers a flexible, text-driven way to practice Chinese, letting you tailor your learning experience to suit your individual goals.

FAQs About Learning Chinese with AI

How can AI help me learn Chinese?

AI-powered language learning apps offer personalized lessons, real-time feedback, and structured conversation practice. By learning Chinese with AI, you can target pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary through interactive exercises designed to fit your level.

Is AI better than a human tutor for Chinese?

AI Chinese tutors provide flexible, around-the-clock access to lessons and practice. While human tutors offer deeper cultural insights, AI tools like Pingo AI deliver consistency, affordability, and personalized feedback, making them excellent for building fluency.

Can I study Chinese for free with AI?

Yes! Several AI Chinese apps offer free trials or basic versions. However, to unlock features like structured lessons and detailed corrections, a paid subscription is usually needed.

Can I practice speaking Chinese with AI?

Definitely. Apps like Pingo AI simulate realistic conversations, allowing you to practice speaking Chinese with AI in a low-pressure, confidence-building environment.

Final Thoughts

AI is transforming language learning, and mastering Chinese with AI has never been more achievable. Whether you're a beginner or advancing toward fluency, AI-powered apps like Pingo AI offer personalized learning, real conversation practice, and real-time feedback to accelerate your progress.

If you’re ready to start learning Chinese, try out Pingo AI for free and experience how fast you can improve. Speak, study, and grow—one conversation at a time.