Listen and follow
Every word stays with the voice
Two native-speaker Mandarin voices, Luna and Kai, read every chapter while each word lights up in sync. Playback runs from 0.5× to 2×.
The HSKStory Reader
Read the story.
Keep your attention.
A quiet Chinese Reader with native-speaker Mandarin voices, synchronized highlighting, and just enough help to keep you moving.
No signup to startHSK 1-9Works in your browser
Library
雨中的成都
今天下午，天空突然变得很暗。小林走出咖啡店的时候，雨已经开始下了。
他没有带伞，只好站在门口，安静地听着雨声。
1:42 / 4:31
No interruptions
A reader that leaves you alone.
No streaks, no badges, no notifications begging you back. There are no ads anywhere in HSKStory. You open a chapter, press play, and read. Every control waits behind one tap until you want it.
Pinyin your way
See help only when you need it
Off, Smart, Subtle, or Full pinyin. Smart shows pronunciation only for words above the story's level. Works in Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
Read into memory
Tap a word. Keep the context.
Tap any word for pinyin, definitions, its HSK level, measure words, and a sentence translation. Looked-up words save to your vocabulary automatically, ready for FSRS spaced-repetition flashcards.
Smart Pinyin
yǔ雨 已经 开始xià下 了
Characters
Simplified简体·Traditional繁體
Themes
Playback
0.5× to 2×
Your Chinese, your way
Help that fades as you improve.
Start with full pinyin, switch to Smart Pinyin for unfamiliar words, then turn it off. Your text size, font, theme, character set, reading mode, and audio preferences follow you, and they sync across your devices when you sign in.
Every Reader setting
Sixteen settings, all one tap from the story. Set them once and they stay set.
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Theme | Light / Warm / Dark / System |
| Text size | Adjustable slider |
| Font | Sans / Serif |
| Characters | Simplified / Traditional |
| Pinyin | Off / Smart / Subtle / Full |
| Tone Colors | On / Off |
| Reading Mode | Scroll / Pages |
| Tap to Save | On / Off (auto-save looked-up words) |
| Audio Highlight | On / Off (word-by-word sync with narration) |
| Voice | Luna or Kai (native-speaker Mandarin) |
| Playback Speed | 0.5× to 2.0× |
| Listening Mode | Continuous, or Trainer: pauses after each sentence so you can repeat aloud (3, 5, or 8 second gap) |
| Chapter Loop | On / Off (replay the chapter for repeated listening) |
| Flashcard Auto-Play | On / Off |
| Flashcard New Words Per Day | Unlimited, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 |
| Flashcard Direction | Chinese → English / English → Chinese / Both |
Trainer mode
Shadow the story, sentence by sentence.
Shadowing means repeating native audio right after you hear it, a practice technique with decades of classroom research behind it. Switch the player to Trainer and the audio pauses after every sentence for 3, 5, or 8 seconds while you say it aloud. Jump back to run a hard line again, or turn on Chapter Loop to repeat the whole chapter until it feels easy.
小猫在我的椅子上睡觉，它很可爱。
Paused. Your turn.
3s5s8s
Reader FAQ
Questions before your first chapter.
Does HSKStory have audio?
Yes. Every chapter is narrated by native-speaker Mandarin voices (Luna and Kai) with word-by-word synchronized highlighting. Playback speed adjusts from 0.5× to 2×.
What pinyin options does the Reader have?
Four modes: Off, Smart, Subtle, and Full. Smart mode shows pinyin only for words above the story's HSK level, so help fades as you improve.
Does it support Traditional characters?
Yes. Every story can be read in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, with optional tone colors.
Can I save words while reading?
Yes. Tap any word to see pinyin, definitions, its HSK level, measure words, alternate readings, and a sentence translation. Looked-up words are saved to your vocabulary automatically, and FSRS spaced-repetition flashcards schedule your reviews, with a configurable daily intake and card direction.
Do I need an account to start?
No. Your first story opens right away, no account needed. A free account unlocks all three free stories and syncs your progress.
What devices does it work on?
Any modern browser, phone-first. HSKStory installs as a PWA so it works like an app on your home screen.
Is the Reader distraction-free?
Yes. There are no ads, streaks, badges, or notifications in HSKStory. The Reader shows the story and an audio bar; settings and definitions appear only when you tap.
Does my progress sync across devices?
Yes, with a free account. Reading progress, saved words, flashcard reviews, and your settings sync across every device you sign in on. Without an account, everything stays on your device.
Can I practice shadowing with HSKStory?
Yes. Trainer mode plays one sentence at a time and pauses for 3, 5, or 8 seconds so you can repeat after the native speaker. Sentence back and forward buttons replay a single line, and Chapter Loop repeats the whole chapter.
Can I request a feature?
Yes, and the founder reads it personally. HSKStory is built by one person, Anthony, and is in active development. If something is missing or not working for you, write to anthony@hskstory.com.