Features

Pinyin Annotator is a free browser tool for adding Mandarin tone marks to Chinese text without installing a dictionary app or uploading a manuscript. It works from a local pronunciation map of 778 character entries, a 203-rule multi-character collocation list for common polyphonic words, 373 rare-character readings and a 363-entry Zhuyin/Bopomofo map. Paste simplified or traditional text and the page separates ordinary characters from polyphonic and rare ones, chooses a reading from the surrounding word where a rule matches, and displays the result either as HTML ruby above the character or as inline parentheses. You can switch between polyphone-only and all-annotated-character modes, add Zhuyin alongside pinyin for Taiwanese teaching materials, click a multi-read character to cycle through its available readings, copy the formatted text or HTML, and export a Markdown file. The tool runs locally in the browser and is intentionally transparent about its limits: it is a practical first-pass annotator built around a curated dictionary, not a full morphological parser, a Cantonese pronunciation guide or a publishing-layout engine.

Pinyin Annotator adds Mandarin pinyin to Chinese text with 778 character entries, 203 polyphone collocation rules, 373 rare-character readings and optional Zhuyin, then exports ruby HTML, inline text or Markdown.

When You Need This

Common pain points this tool solves

1. A Mandarin teacher prepares a reading passage for a mixed-ability class. The tool marks polyphonic characters such as 行, 长, 重, 还 and 乐, and the teacher exports a ruby version for the class page and an inline version for the printed handout.
2. A Chinese-language tutor in Taiwan wants both pinyin and Zhuyin on the same worksheet. Switching on the dual-annotation mode adds the Bopomofo reading next to the pinyin, while the rare-character count shows which words may need a pre-teaching explanation.
3. A children's-book editor checks a manuscript for uncommon characters. Rare-reading entries and the annotation counter make the editorial pass faster, and the Markdown export can be dropped into the production document as a first draft.
4. A knowledge-video creator annotates a script before recording. The inline format is pasted into a teleprompter note, while the click-to-cycle control resolves the handful of readings that would otherwise be read incorrectly.
5. A language learner pastes a news paragraph and studies the orange multi-read characters instead of every single syllable. The polyphone-only view keeps the page readable and makes the genuinely difficult cases stand out.
6. A self-publisher wants pinyin above each character on a web preview. The ruby export gives a copy-ready HTML fragment without sending the manuscript to an external annotation service.

How to Use

Step-by-step instructions

1. Paste Chinese text into the input area. The annotator handles simplified, traditional, mixed and punctuated text, and treats Latin letters, digits and punctuation as non-Hanzi content.
2. Choose the display format. Ruby mode places pinyin above each character and is suitable for web pages and worksheets; inline mode writes the reading in parentheses after the character and is easier to paste into plain-text editors.
3. Decide whether to mark only polyphones or all annotated characters. Polyphone-only is the cleaner study aid; the broader mode is useful when rare characters also need pronunciation support.
4. Select the pronunciation display. Pinyin is always available, and dual mode adds Zhuyin/Bopomofo for readers who use it. This is a display option, not a Cantonese or ancient-pronunciation mode.
5. Review the orange characters. Click a polyphonic character to cycle through the readings held in the local map, then use the counter to confirm how many polyphonic and rare characters were found.
6. Copy the formatted text, copy the HTML ruby, or export a Markdown file. Check the result in the destination editor, because not every publishing tool renders ruby markup in the same way.

How it works

Step-by-step instructions

1. Paste the Chinese text. Use the main input box. Keep paragraph breaks if the exported annotation should preserve them.
2. Set display and marking options. Pick ruby or inline, polyphone-only or all annotated, and optionally add Zhuyin alongside pinyin.
3. Inspect ambiguous characters. The orange highlight marks multi-read characters; click one to cycle through the alternative readings in the local map.
4. Check the counters. Review how many polyphonic and rare characters were detected before treating the output as complete.
5. Export for the destination. Copy plain text, copy HTML ruby, or download Markdown, then verify the layout in your final editor.

By the numbers

Character pronunciation entries

778 entries in the local pinyin map

Polyphone collocation rules

203 rules checked across multi-character words

Rare-character readings

373 mapped rare Hanzi

Zhuyin/Bopomofo entries

363 mappings available for dual annotation

Outputs

Copy text, copy HTML ruby, export Markdown

How we compare

Why Choose Korelyy

What makes us better

1. The dictionary is visible in the workflow: 778 character entries, 203 collocation rules and 373 rare-character readings give a concrete basis for each annotation.
2. Ruby and inline formats serve different destinations without a second conversion step.
3. Optional Zhuyin makes the same page useful for Taiwanese teaching materials and for learners who switch between the two notation systems.
4. Click-to-cycle correction keeps the human in control of ambiguous readings instead of hiding a wrong automatic guess.
5. Text is annotated in the browser, so a teacher or editor can work on unpublished material without a cloud account or an upload queue.

Monetize With This Tool

Turn this tool into a side income stream

1. Use this tool to speed up your freelance work and take on more paying clients
2. Create polished content faster for your blog, YouTube channel, or social media and grow your audience
3. Offer this tool's capabilities as a service on Fiverr, Upwork, or to your local business clients

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Chinese Pinyin Annotator free to use?

   Yes. Chinese Pinyin Annotator is 100% free for core features — no signup, no watermarks, no hidden paywalls on the tools you need day to day.

2. Do I need to sign up to use Chinese Pinyin Annotator?

   No. Open and use instantly in your browser. Nothing to install, no account required. Your preferences stay on your device.

3. Is my data safe with Chinese Pinyin Annotator?

   Yes. Chinese Pinyin Annotator runs locally in your browser whenever technically possible — sensitive inputs are processed on your device, not on our servers. No tracking cookies.

4. Which devices does Chinese Pinyin Annotator work on?

   Phones, tablets and desktops with any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox). Touch-friendly and responsive from 320px to 4K.

5. What is pinyin annotation?

   Pinyin annotation adds ruby-style phonetic guides above Chinese characters showing the Romanized pronunciation with tone marks, helping learners read Chinese aloud.

6. Does it handle polyphonic characters?

   Yes, the tool uses context-aware dictionaries to choose the correct pronunciation for polyphonic characters (多音字) that change sound based on usage.

7. Can I export the annotated text?

   Yes, you can export annotated text as HTML with ruby tags, plain text with pinyin in parentheses, or as a printable PDF study sheet.