The Zhuyin keyboard
Most people in Taiwan type Chinese with Zhuyin, not pinyin. The standard layout is called Dachen (大千). It puts each symbol on one key.
ㄅ1ㄉ2ˇ3ˋ4ㄓ5ˊ6˙7ㄚ8ㄞ9ㄢ0ㄦ-
ㄆqㄊwㄍeㄐrㄔtㄗyㄧuㄛiㄟoㄣp
ㄇaㄋsㄎdㄑfㄕgㄘhㄨjㄜkㄠlㄤ;
ㄈzㄌxㄏcㄒvㄖbㄙnㄩmㄝ,ㄡ.ㄥ/
space = tone 1
InitialsMedialsFinalsTones
How the layout works
- Initials are on the left. ㄅㄆㄇㄈ go down the first column, then ㄉㄊㄋㄌ, and so on.
- Medials are in the middle: ㄧ (U), ㄨ (J) and ㄩ (M).
- Finals are on the right. ㄚ starts on the 8 key.
- Tones are in the number row: ˊ (6), ˇ (3), ˋ (4), ˙ (7). Space is the first tone.
On a computer, the small letters show which key to press. For example, 你好 is su3cl3.
How to type with Zhuyin
- Type the symbols. Press ㄋ, then ㄧ. The keyboard shows ㄋㄧ.
- Type the tone. Press ˇ for the third tone. For the first tone, press Space.
- Pick the character. The keyboard suggests 你. Tap it, or keep typing: the phone picks from the context.
- Type whole words. ㄋㄧˇ ㄏㄠˇ gives 你好. Longer input often gives better suggestions.
Add the Zhuyin keyboard on Android
Gboard
- Open Settings › System › Keyboard. On some phones it is Languages & input.
- Choose Gboard › Languages › Add keyboard, then 中文 (台灣).
- Pick 注音 (Zhuyin) and tap Done.
- In any text field, press the globe key to switch to 注音.
Samsung Keyboard
- Open Settings › General management › Samsung Keyboard settings.
- Choose Languages and types › Manage input languages, then add 中文 (台灣).
- Set the type to 注音. Swipe the space bar or press the globe key to switch.
Menu names change between phone models and Android versions. If you cannot find a step, search for “keyboard” in Settings.
On a computer
- Windows: Settings › Time & language › Language & region › Add a language › 中文(台灣). The Microsoft Bopomofo input uses the Dachen layout.
- macOS: System Settings › Keyboard › Text Input › Edit › + › Chinese, Traditional › Zhuyin – Traditional.
Practise before you switch
The Keyboard Dojo in Zhuyin Pro teaches the Dachen layout step by step: find each key, type syllables, then type real TOCFL words. A speed run measures your words per minute. Then the app checks your typing on the real keyboard of your phone.
New to Zhuyin? Start with the Zhuyin chart and the tone marks.
Type the way Taiwan types.
Keyboard hunt, syllables, words and speed runs, with a map of your progress.
Get it onGoogle Play