Why InputDojo
Du Chinese is an excellent graded reader with professional audio, and its limitation is structural rather than a flaw: the library is finite and someone else chose what is in it. Most learners eventually hit the wall where graded content is too easy but native content is still too hard, with no way to tell which native articles are close enough to attempt. InputDojo attacks exactly that gap — import anything, and it reports unknown-word density against your own known-word list before you commit. HSK tracking is free.
Feature comparison
| Feature | InputDojo | Du Chinese |
|---|---|---|
| Import your own content | Yes — any URL, video, file | No — curated library |
| Professional native audio | Text-to-speech | Yes, professionally recorded |
| Content graded by HSK | Measured against your own vocabulary | Yes, editorially graded |
| Runs out of material | No | Eventually |
| Tap-to-define with sentence saved | Yes | Yes |
| Free HSK vocabulary tracks | Free, full lists | Not a separate feature |
| AI explanation of a sentence | Yes, on Ultimate | No |
| Best stage | HSK 3 upward | HSK 1–4 |
Based on publicly available Du Chinese feature documentation as of 2026. Compare directly before choosing.
Best for
Post-graded-reader learners who want to read actual Chinese news, blogs or fiction and need to know what is within reach. Below HSK 3, Du Chinese's recorded audio and editorial grading are worth more.
FAQ
Is the audio as good as Du Chinese?+
No. Du Chinese uses professional narration of text written for learners; InputDojo uses text-to-speech on arbitrary content. That is a real tradeoff in Du Chinese's favour.
How does it know if an article is too hard?+
It compares the text against the words you have marked known and reports the percentage you do not know, so you can judge before starting.
Does it work for traditional characters?+
Yes, both simplified and traditional, plus Japanese and 12 other languages.