MDBG Chinese Dictionary

Overview

MDBG Chinese Dictionary combines Chinese-English and English-Chinese lookup with tools for reading and practice. It is best suited to learners who want to move from finding a word to annotating text or reviewing vocabulary, though its macOS trial covers only a small beginner-level subset.

Key features

Search by Chinese, Mandarin pinyin, or English definitions, including wildcard queries. Character entries can provide radical and stroke counts, pinyin, Yale and Jyutping Cantonese, Cangjie, and four-corner codes. That makes MDBG more useful for identifying and studying a character than a dictionary limited to a single translation.

Text lookup can add pinyin and English definitions to Chinese passages inline or in popups. Flashcards, quizzes, character practice, and vocabulary web feeds extend the site beyond reference; Chinese text input and written-Chinese tools add further study support. Audio pronunciation, usage examples, and translation lookup are also available.

The word dictionary is based on CC-CEDICT. Its downloadable data is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0, a useful option for users working with the data itself.

Pricing

MDBG is freemium, with paid access from $15.95. The MDBG free online dictionary costs nothing and includes online dictionary and learning tools, making it the clearest starting point for learners who do not need offline desktop lookup.

The Chinese Reader Preview Edition costs nothing and provides Professional Edition capabilities during a billed 14-day trial. After that trial, the Chinese Reader Free Edition costs nothing and retains browser-based text selection, dictionary lookup, and basic Mandarin voice. That free edition is a narrower choice for readers who mainly want lookup while browsing.

The MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary for macOS trial costs nothing with no time limit, but is restricted to HSK levels 1–4 and approximately 3,000 entries. The full version has over 120,000 entries. This trial can serve beginners, but it is not a representative substitute for the full dictionary. No other price or renewal terms are stated.

Platforms

MDBG lists Android, iOS, macOS, web, Windows, and extension support, but its mobile apps field says none. Offline access is provided by the macOS dictionary and Chinese Reader for Windows. The Windows reader can scan selected text, look up words, pronounce Chinese, translate text, and work offline; it describes automatic translation using Google and Microsoft services. Support documentation describes enabling browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

The macOS dictionary also works offline and supports Chinese-character, Mandarin-pinyin, and English-definition lookup. Its restricted trial is a meaningful drawback for anyone trying to assess advanced vocabulary before buying.

Who it's for

MDBG is a strong fit for Chinese learners who want lookup, text annotation, pronunciation, and practice together, especially those who value offline desktop access. It is less compelling for someone seeking a broad macOS dictionary without paying, or a dedicated mobile app. The privacy page says the website uses traffic-log cookies for statistical analysis and Google Analytics and AdSense cookies. Chinese Reader support points users to guides and documentation and says feedback is the fastest way to contact support.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Multiple search routes, detailed character fields, annotation, and practice tools support more than basic translation lookup.
• Pro: Offline dictionaries are available for macOS and Windows, with text scanning and pronunciation in Chinese Reader for Windows.
• Con: The macOS trial has only approximately 3,000 entries, far short of the full version's over 120,000.
• Con: The free Chinese Reader edition offers browser selection and lookup with only basic Mandarin voice, rather than the preview's Professional Edition capabilities.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of reference tools, start with Online Dictionaries. Choose ABBYY Lingvo instead if you want to compare a freemium dictionary available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. dict.cc is another free web dictionary, with private and business use in its browser plan.

GoldenDict is a free alternative for desktop users comfortable downloading dictionary content separately; its mobile version is commercial. Larousse Dictionaries may suit readers seeking free online reference content or a premium subscription priced at 99.00. Linguee is a free option for Android, iOS, and web users. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries offers free online access to its learner dictionaries, text checker, and word lists. The Free Dictionary brings multiple dictionaries, a thesaurus, encyclopedias, and translation to its free website. WordWeb is worth comparing for Windows users seeking definitions, synonyms, examples, and basic AI suggestions and translations in its free version, subject to licensing terms.

Verdict

Choose MDBG if you want Chinese lookup linked to reading annotation and vocabulary practice, with offline desktop options. Look elsewhere if you need a full macOS dictionary before committing: its free trial stops at approximately 3,000 entries, while the full version has over 120,000.