Best Site to Read Aloud & Download Pinyin: A Must-Have for Chinese Learners
Aug. 7, 2026
One of the major hurdles in learning Chinese is the pronunciation of "pinyin."
Since pinyin pronunciation has a different phonological system compared to other languages, it often feels difficult for learners.
I wish I could easily listen to pinyin audio. I wish I could listen to it repeatedly on my smartphone.
We will introduce a recommended site that can make those wishes come true.
How to Pronounce Pinyin Notation
- Chinese pronunciation
- Pinyin pronunciation
- Take a photo of a Chinese textbook, upload the photo, and have it pronounced
There is a site that can do all of that.
A site that can read aloud and download text in both Chinese notation and pinyin notation
That is Ondoku!
With Ondoku, you can easily read aloud and download Chinese.
Using a smartphone, you can also have Chinese pronounced from a photo taken on the spot.
The read-aloud from image feature is highly recommended because it allows you to quickly understand Chinese pronunciation even from textbooks or texts without accompanying audio.
With Ondoku, you can easily read aloud both pinyin and Chinese notation with just a click. Downloading is also easy with one click.
If you are studying Chinese, it is a useful site that you shouldn't miss out on.
How to Use Ondoku
First, we will introduce how to convert Chinese and pinyin text into audio.
1. Access the Ondoku website
Japanese Text-to-Speech Software | Ondoku
Text-to-speech software Ondoku can read aloud up to 5,000 characters for free. Additionally, with a paid plan, you can read up to 1 million characters per month. Texts read aloud with high-quality audio can be output as audio files (.mp3) and are available for commercial use.
You can freely access it from any device connected to the internet, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
2. Text Input
Enter the text you want to read aloud into the text box.
You can enter text in various languages such as Chinese, pinyin, as well as Japanese, English, and more.
3. Configure Language and Settings
Select the language to be read aloud in the language selection field.
Here, select "Mandarin (Mainland China)."
You can choose from many types of "Voices," such as female or male. Each has its own reading style, so please find a voice you like.
The ones that are good at reading pinyin notation are:
- Xiaoxiao
- Xiaoyou
- Yunyang
For Chinese notation, the impression is that all voices pronounce it well.
You can also set the speed, so if it feels too fast, you can adjust it to be slower.
You can listen to sample Chinese read-aloud voices for free in this article! Please take a look.
For checking Chinese pronunciation and listening practice! Listen to native pronunciation by 41 speakers: female, male, and girl voices
Here, you can listen to samples of Ondoku's Chinese voices. You can choose Chinese voices from various regions: Mandarin (Mainland China), Cantonese (Hong Kong), and Taiwanese Mandarin (Taiwan). Voices include female, male, girl, and boy options.
4. Click the "Read" Button
Once the settings are complete, click the "Read" button. The entered text will be read aloud in a few seconds.
5. Download the Audio
You can download the read-aloud audio.
Clicking the download button will download the audio file, which can be played back later or moved to another device.
How to Have Text Pronounced from an Image
Next, we will introduce via video how to have Chinese pronounced from photos taken on the spot, such as from textbooks.
* The video below auto-plays; if you want to watch from the beginning, please return the playback bar to the start.
1. Open Ondoku on your smartphone
Access Ondoku on a device that can take photos on the spot, such as a smartphone or tablet.
Japanese Text-to-Speech Software | Ondoku
Text-to-speech software Ondoku can read aloud up to 5,000 characters for free. Additionally, with a paid plan, you can read up to 1 million characters per month. Texts read aloud with high-quality audio can be output as audio files (.mp3) and are available for commercial use.
2. Click the Image Tab
Click the image tab on the TOP page.
3. Take a photo or select an image containing the text you want to read aloud
Click "Select Image" and choose the photo you want to convert to audio by either:
- Taking a photo on the spot
- Selecting the necessary photo from your photo folder
4. Configure Language and Settings
Select the language to be read aloud in the language selection field.
Here, select "Mandarin (Mainland China)."
You can choose from many types of "Voices," such as female or male. Each has its own reading style, so please find a voice you like.
For Chinese notation, the impression is that all voices pronounce it well.
You can also set the speed, so if it feels too fast, you can adjust it to be slower.
5. Click the Read Button
Once the settings are complete, click the "Read" button. The text will then be read aloud in a few seconds.
6. Download the Audio
You can download the read-aloud audio.
Clicking the download button will download the audio file, which can be played back later or moved to another device.
Ondoku is Perfect for Learning Chinese
Ondoku is a very strong ally for those studying Chinese.
It is also attractive that you can use Ondoku for free for up to 5,000 characters per month.
Of course, if you want to study more, you can purchase a capacity of 200,000 characters for 980 yen per month to have more text pronounced.
Recommended Features
The feature to turn images into audio is especially recommended.
Using the image-to-audio feature, you can easily have Chinese pronounced without having to type it yourself.
When you don't know the pronunciation of Chinese in a textbook
When you understand the meaning if it's read to you, but don't understand it when written
It is perfect for these situations.
Images can be **photos** or **screenshots**.
Supported file formats are JPEG and PNG.
PDF format is not supported, so if you want to have a PDF pronounced, please take a screenshot before uploading.
This article explains the image read-aloud feature in detail!
How to Use Image Read-Aloud | How to Use Free OCR to Turn Photo Text into Audio
This explains the feature of "Ondoku" that can read text from images and photos (OCR) and read it aloud. It can be used for free. On both PC and smartphones, reading aloud is completed in just a few seconds simply by uploading an image.
Recommended for Chinese Speaking Practice too!
Ondoku is also recommended for Chinese speaking practice!
This article explains Chinese example sentences and recommended practice methods, so please take a look!
[2026 Edition] Chinese Reading Aloud Study Method! Thorough explanation of recommended sites, apps, example texts, and how to use them
I can read kanji but can't pronounce it... Solving that problem! Carefully selected sites and apps recommended for reading Chinese aloud. Explaining how to utilize the free "Ondoku," tips for acquiring native-level pronunciation, and example texts.
Ready-to-use Chinese Daily Conversation Scene Examples and How to Make Original Audio Materials [with Pronunciation Audio]
Introducing Chinese daily conversation with audio materials. Furthermore, we will also show you how to create your own original audio materials to help you with your studies.
Pronounce and Download Pinyin to Listen Repeatedly
Audio created with Ondoku can be downloaded.
What is very important in studying foreign language pronunciation is listening repeatedly, practicing to pronounce it the same way, and writing down the sentences while listening to the sounds.
Make effective use of files downloaded from Ondoku to assist in your Chinese language learning.
■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"
"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.
- Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
- Available from both PC and smartphone
- Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
- No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
- Supports reading from images
To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.
Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com
"Ondoku" is a Text-to-Speech service that anyone can use for free without installation. If you register for free, you can get up to 5000 characters for free each month. Register now for free
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