Learn Chinese on YouTube with Pinyin Subtitles
DracoChinese turns YouTube into a Chinese classroom. It adds pinyin to Chinese subtitles, shows the full transcript next to the video, explains any line with AI, and saves the words you want to remember.
Works with any YouTube video that has Chinese subtitles.
The extension works in Chrome on your computer. On your phone, learn with the DracoChinese app:
See it in action
Look up words without leaving the video, keep notes, and build your own vocabulary list.
Everything you need to learn from Chinese videos
Watch the videos you enjoy and understand every line – no more pausing to copy characters into a dictionary.
Automatic Pinyin
Pinyin is displayed above every Chinese character in YouTube subtitles.
Full Transcript
See every subtitle line beside the video, with pinyin. Click a line to jump to that moment; the current line is highlighted as the video plays.
AI Explanations
Get a natural translation, a word-by-word breakdown, the key grammar point and usage notes for any line – written for your level.
Instant Lookup
Click any word to see its pinyin and definition.
Line-by-line Translation
Show a translation under each transcript line.
Vocabulary Saving
Save words with one click and review them in the panel or in the extension popup.
Notes
Add personal notes to any saved word to help you remember it.
Cloud Sync
Sign in to sync your saved vocabulary to the DracoChinese app for flashcard study.
14 Interface Languages
English, 中文, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano, 日本語, 한국어, Русский, العربية, Bahasa Indonesia, ไทย, Tiếng Việt and ខ្មែរ. AI explanations are available in 12 languages.
How it works
Start learning in under a minute.
- Install the extension and open any YouTube video with Chinese subtitles.
- Pinyin appears above the subtitles, and the transcript panel appears next to the video.
- Click any word to see its meaning and save it to your vocabulary.
- Click the AI button on a line you don't understand to get an explanation in your language.
- Open the "My Vocabulary" tab to review, annotate and sync your saved words.
Free and Premium
Your DracoChinese account and Premium work in both the extension and the mobile app.
Free
No account needed
- Pinyin on subtitles
- Full transcript
- Line-by-line translation
- Word lookup
- Save words on this device
Free account
Sign in with email or Google
- Everything in Free
- Vocabulary sync to the DracoChinese app
- A few AI explanations every day
DracoChinese Premium
Shared with the DracoChinese app
- 300 AI explanations per month in the extension
- All Premium songs and karaoke in the app
- AI Tutor practice
- No ads
Premium is purchased in the DracoChinese mobile app. Sign in to the extension with the same account and it is activated automatically.
Save on YouTube, review in the app
Sign in with your DracoChinese account (email or Google) and the words you save while watching YouTube are synced to the DracoChinese mobile app for flashcard study. Vocabulary sync is free for all signed-in users.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you install.
Is the DracoChinese extension free?
Yes. Pinyin subtitles, the full transcript, translation, word lookup and saving words work for free, without an account. Signing in with a free DracoChinese account adds vocabulary sync and a few AI explanations every day.
Which YouTube videos does it work with?
Any YouTube video with Chinese subtitles. Pinyin and the transcript appear automatically when you open the video.
How do I get DracoChinese Premium?
Premium is purchased in the DracoChinese mobile app. Sign in to the extension with the same account and Premium is activated automatically, including 300 AI explanations per month.
Do I need Premium to sync my vocabulary?
No. Vocabulary sync to the DracoChinese app is available to all signed-in users – no Premium subscription required.
Can I use it on my phone?
Chrome extensions can only be installed in Chrome on a computer. On your phone, use the DracoChinese app – your saved words from the extension are waiting there for flashcard review.
What data does the extension collect?
The extension only activates on youtube.com and does not record your browsing history or the videos you watch. See the extension privacy policy for full details.
Read the extension privacy policy.