How to Type Traditional Chinese on iPhone: Zhuyin vs Pinyin vs Handwriting

Topic In Chinese: iPhone 打繁體中文：輸入法比較（iPhone dǎ fántǐ zhōngwén: shūrùfǎ bǐjiào）

Goal: you’ll add the right Chinese keyboard, switch fast, and actually get the characters you want—without playing “Candidate List Roulette.”

On iPhone, typing Traditional Chinese usually means choosing one of three input methods: Zhuyin (注音 zhùyīn), Pinyin (拼音 pīnyīn), or Handwriting (手寫 shǒuxiě). They all work—just for different brains and different situations.

Yak Snark Box: If you pick an input method because “it sounds more authentic,” congratulations—your iPhone will still judge you by how fast you can find the right 候選字 (hòuxuǎnzì). Choose the one you’ll actually use.

Quick Setup: Add Traditional Chinese Keyboards

To add any Chinese keyboard on iPhone, the core path is:

Open 設定（shèdìng, Settings）
Tap 一般（yìbān, General）→ 鍵盤（jiànpán, Keyboard）
Tap 鍵盤 → 新增鍵盤（xīnzēng jiànpán, Add New Keyboard）
Choose a Chinese keyboard, then pick the input method (Zhuyin / Pinyin / Handwriting).

This “Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard” flow is straight from Apple’s iPhone User Guide. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

How to Switch Between Keyboards While Typing

While typing in any app, touch and hold the globe key (or the emoji key), then tap the keyboard you want. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Useful UI Vocab: 切換（qiēhuàn, switch）／地球鍵（dìqiú jiàn, globe key）／鍵盤（jiànpán, keyboard）

Zhuyin, Pinyin, or Handwriting: Which Should You Use?

Method	Chinese	Best For	Why It Wins	Watch Out
Zhuyin	注音（zhùyīn）	Taiwan Mandarin learners, Taiwan life	Tone-friendly, great for Taiwan pronunciation habits	Learning the symbols takes time
Pinyin	拼音（pīnyīn）	Most beginners, anyone comfy with letters	Fast start, easy muscle memory	More homophone collisions if you type without context
Handwriting	手寫（shǒuxiě）	Unknown characters, names, signs, rare words	No need to know pronunciation	Slower for full sentences

What Zhuyin And Pinyin Actually Are

Zhuyin (also called Bopomofo) is a phonetic symbol system (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ…) used to represent sounds, and it’s still widely used in Taiwan. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Pinyin is the most common romanization system for Mandarin Chinese, using the Latin alphabet (like nǐ hǎo). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

On iPhone, you can pick Chinese keyboards and input methods after you add the keyboard in Settings (Simplified vs Traditional, then the method). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Fast Choice Guide

If you live in Taiwan or your teacher uses ㄅㄆㄇㄈ: choose 注音 (zhùyīn).
If you want the fastest “start typing today”: choose 拼音 (pīnyīn).
If you often see characters you can’t pronounce: add 手寫 (shǒuxiě) as your backup keyboard.

Visual Cheat Cards: The 8 Things You’ll Tap 100 Times

鍵盤

jiànpán — keyboard

Example: 我先去設定加一個中文鍵盤。
Wǒ xiān qù shèdìng jiā yí gè Zhōngwén jiànpán.
I’ll go to Settings and add a Chinese keyboard first.

切換

qiēhuàn — switch

Example: 長按地球鍵就能切換鍵盤。
Cháng àn dìqiú jiàn jiù néng qiēhuàn jiànpán.
Press and hold the globe key to switch keyboards.

候選字

hòuxuǎnzì — candidate characters

Example: 先看候選字，再選你要的那個。
Xiān kàn hòuxuǎnzì, zài xuǎn nǐ yào de nà gè.
Check the candidates, then pick the one you want.

注音

zhùyīn — Zhuyin

Example: 我在台灣用注音打字。
Wǒ zài Táiwān yòng zhùyīn dǎzì.
In Taiwan, I type using Zhuyin.

拼音

pīnyīn — Pinyin

Example: 我先用拼音，熟了再學注音。
Wǒ xiān yòng pīnyīn, shú le zài xué zhùyīn.
I’ll start with Pinyin, then learn Zhuyin once I’m comfortable.

手寫

shǒuxiě — handwriting

Example: 這個字我不會念，所以用手寫找。
Zhè gè zì wǒ bú huì niàn, suǒyǐ yòng shǒuxiě zhǎo.
I can’t pronounce this character, so I’ll use handwriting to find it.

Mini Practice: Try All Three Methods (Yes, Even Handwriting)

Open Notes and type these. Don’t overthink—just notice which method feels “sticky” for you.

你好！我在台北。
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ zài Táiběi.
Hello! I’m in Taipei.
我想喝珍珠奶茶。
Wǒ xiǎng hē zhēnzhū nǎichá.
I want bubble tea.
可以用行動支付嗎？
Kěyǐ yòng xíngdòng zhīfù ma?
Can I pay by mobile payment?

Zhuyin hint: 你好 = ㄋㄧˇ ㄏㄠˇ （nǐ hǎo）／台北 = ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ（Táiběi）

Common Mistakes (And Quick Fixes)

You keep getting Simplified characters. Make sure you added a Traditional Chinese keyboard (繁體 fántǐ), not Simplified (簡體 jiǎntǐ).
You can’t find your Chinese keyboard. Reorder your keyboard list so Chinese is near the top (Edit → drag). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Your candidate list is huge. Type a longer chunk (a whole word/phrase), not one syllable at a time: e.g., type “zh珍珠奶茶” as “zhenzhu naicha” (no tones needed) then pick the phrase.
Handwriting feels inaccurate. Write bigger, slow down slightly, and focus on the main shape (even imperfect strokes often work).

Useful Phrases You’ll Actually Say While Typing

你可以打慢一點嗎？
Nǐ kěyǐ dǎ màn yìdiǎn ma?
Can you type a bit slower?
這個字怎麼打？
Zhè gè zì zěnme dǎ?
How do you type this character?
我找不到這個字。
Wǒ zhǎo bú dào zhè gè zì.
I can’t find this character.
用拼音比較快。
Yòng pīnyīn bǐjiào kuài.
Pinyin is faster.
我用注音比較習慣。
Wǒ yòng zhùyīn bǐjiào xíguàn.
I’m more used to Zhuyin.
我改用手寫。
Wǒ gǎi yòng shǒuxiě.
I’ll switch to handwriting.
你選錯字了。
Nǐ xuǎn cuò zì le.
You picked the wrong character.
再選一次。
Zài xuǎn yí cì.
Pick again.
我用繁體字。
Wǒ yòng fántǐ zì.
I use Traditional characters.
可以幫我看一下嗎？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?
Can you take a look for me?

Tables of Words (So You Stop Guessing What Buttons Mean)

Settings & Keyboard Words

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
設定	shèdìng	Settings	我去設定調鍵盤。	Wǒ qù shèdìng tiáo jiànpán.	I’m going to Settings to adjust the keyboard.
一般	yìbān	General	在一般裡面找鍵盤。	Zài yìbān lǐmiàn zhǎo jiànpán.	Find Keyboard under General.
鍵盤	jiànpán	Keyboard	我加了兩個中文鍵盤。	Wǒ jiā le liǎng gè Zhōngwén jiànpán.	I added two Chinese keyboards.
鍵盤列表	jiànpán lièbiǎo	keyboard list	我的鍵盤列表太長了。	Wǒ de jiànpán lièbiǎo tài cháng le.	My keyboard list is too long.
新增鍵盤	xīnzēng jiànpán	Add New Keyboard	按新增鍵盤再選中文。	Àn xīnzēng jiànpán zài xuǎn Zhōngwén.	Tap Add New Keyboard, then choose Chinese.
刪除	shānchú	Delete	不用的鍵盤可以刪除。	Bú yòng de jiànpán kěyǐ shānchú.	You can delete keyboards you don’t use.
編輯	biānjí	Edit	按編輯就能重新排序。	Àn biānjí jiù néng chóngxīn páixù.	Tap Edit to reorder.
重新排序	chóngxīn páixù	reorder	把中文鍵盤排到前面。	Bǎ Zhōngwén jiànpán pái dào qiánmiàn.	Move the Chinese keyboard to the front.
語言	yǔyán	language	我把語言改成中文。	Wǒ bǎ yǔyán gǎi chéng Zhōngwén.	I changed the language to Chinese.
地區	dìqū	region	地區不同，顯示可能不一樣。	Dìqū bùtóng, xiǎnshì kěnéng bù yíyàng.	Different regions may display differently.
偏好語言	piānhào yǔyán	preferred languages	偏好語言順序會影響顯示。	Piānhào yǔyán shùnxù huì yǐngxiǎng xiǎnshì.	The preferred language order affects display.
輸入法	shūrùfǎ	input method	我在輸入法裡選注音。	Wǒ zài shūrùfǎ lǐ xuǎn zhùyīn.	I chose Zhuyin in the input methods.
切換	qiēhuàn	switch	我常常切換中英文。	Wǒ chángcháng qiēhuàn Zhōng-Yīngwén.	I often switch between Chinese and English.
地球鍵	dìqiú jiàn	globe key	長按地球鍵選鍵盤。	Cháng àn dìqiú jiàn xuǎn jiànpán.	Press and hold the globe key to choose a keyboard.
表情符號	biǎoqíng fúhào	emoji	我先不要表情符號，我要中文。	Wǒ xiān bú yào biǎoqíng fúhào, wǒ yào Zhōngwén.	No emoji right now—I want Chinese.
聽寫	tīngxiě	dictation	不想打字時可以用聽寫。	Bù xiǎng dǎzì shí kěyǐ yòng tīngxiě.	Use dictation when you don’t want to type.
繁體中文	fántǐ zhōngwén	Traditional Chinese	我用繁體中文跟朋友聊天。	Wǒ yòng fántǐ zhōngwén gēn péngyǒu liáotiān.	I chat with friends in Traditional Chinese.
簡體中文	jiǎntǐ zhōngwén	Simplified Chinese	這台手機是簡體中文鍵盤。	Zhè tái shǒujī shì jiǎntǐ zhōngwén jiànpán.	This phone has a Simplified Chinese keyboard.

Typing & Editing Words

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
打字	dǎzì	to type	我用手機打字很慢。	Wǒ yòng shǒujī dǎzì hěn màn.	I type slowly on my phone.
選字	xuǎn zì	select characters	打完要記得選字。	Dǎ wán yào jìde xuǎn zì.	After typing, remember to select the character.
候選字	hòuxuǎnzì	candidates	候選字太多時就多打幾個音。	Hòuxuǎnzì tài duō shí jiù duō dǎ jǐ gè yīn.	If there are too many candidates, type more syllables.
空白鍵	kōngbái jiàn	space bar	按空白鍵會出現更多候選字。	Àn kōngbái jiàn huì chūxiàn gèng duō hòuxuǎnzì.	Pressing space shows more candidates.
返回鍵	fǎnhuí jiàn	return/enter	按返回鍵就送出。	Àn fǎnhuí jiàn jiù sòngchū.	Press return to send.
退格鍵	tuìgé jiàn	backspace	打錯就按退格鍵。	Dǎ cuò jiù àn tuìgé jiàn.	If you typed wrong, hit backspace.
游標	yóubiāo	cursor	把游標移到這裡。	Bǎ yóubiāo yí dào zhèlǐ.	Move the cursor here.
選取	xuǎnqǔ	select (text)	先選取，再複製。	Xiān xuǎnqǔ, zài fùzhì.	Select first, then copy.
全選	quánxuǎn	select all	我不小心按到全選。	Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn àn dào quánxuǎn.	I accidentally hit Select All.
複製	fùzhì	copy	把這句複製給我。	Bǎ zhè jù fùzhì gěi wǒ.	Copy this sentence for me.
貼上	tiēshàng	paste	我貼上你剛剛的訊息。	Wǒ tiēshàng nǐ gānggāng de xùnxī.	I pasted your message.
自動校正	zìdòng jiàozhèng	autocorrect	自動校正把我害慘了。	Zìdòng jiàozhèng bǎ wǒ hài cǎn le.	Autocorrect ruined me.
預測文字	yùcè wénzì	predictive text	預測文字有時很好用。	Yùcè wénzì yǒushí hěn hǎo yòng.	Predictive text is useful sometimes.
詞組	cí zǔ	word/phrase chunk	用詞組輸入更快。	Yòng cí zǔ shūrù gèng kuài.	Typing in phrases is faster.
同音字	tóngyīn zì	homophones	同音字太多，才會選錯。	Tóngyīn zì tài duō, cái huì xuǎn cuò.	Too many homophones—that’s why you chose wrong.
聲調	shēngdiào	tone	聲調對選字很重要。	Shēngdiào duì xuǎn zì hěn zhòngyào.	Tones matter for picking characters.
發音	fāyīn	pronunciation	我不確定這個字的發音。	Wǒ bù quèdìng zhè gè zì de fāyīn.	I’m not sure how to pronounce this character.
確認	quèrèn	confirm	選好字再確認送出。	Xuǎn hǎo zì zài quèrèn sòngchū.	Pick the right characters, then confirm and send.

Input Method Words (Zhuyin / Pinyin / Handwriting)

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
注音	zhùyīn	Zhuyin	注音用符號表示聲音。	Zhùyīn yòng fúhào biǎoshì shēngyīn.	Zhuyin uses symbols to represent sounds.
注音符號	zhùyīn fúhào	Zhuyin symbols	我還在背注音符號。	Wǒ hái zài bèi zhùyīn fúhào.	I’m still memorizing Zhuyin symbols.
ㄅㄆㄇㄈ	bō pō mō fō	bopomofo starter set	ㄅㄆㄇㄈ是注音的開頭。	Bō pō mō fō shì zhùyīn de kāitóu.	“ㄅㄆㄇㄈ” is the start of Zhuyin.
拼音	pīnyīn	Pinyin	拼音用英文字母打字。	Pīnyīn yòng Yīngwén zìmǔ dǎzì.	Pinyin uses Latin letters to type.
漢語拼音	Hànyǔ pīnyīn	Hanyu Pinyin	漢語拼音常常省略聲調也能用。	Hànyǔ pīnyīn chángcháng shěnglüè shēngdiào yě néng yòng.	You can often use Hanyu Pinyin even without tone marks.
聲母	shēngmǔ	initial	聲母像 b、p、m、f。	Shēngmǔ xiàng b, p, m, f.	Initials are like b, p, m, f.
韻母	yùnmǔ	final	韻母像 -an、-ing。	Yùnmǔ xiàng -an, -ing.	Finals are like -an, -ing.
手寫	shǒuxiě	handwriting	手寫適合找不會念的字。	Shǒuxiě shìhé zhǎo bù huì niàn de zì.	Handwriting is great for characters you can’t pronounce.
筆畫	bǐhuà	strokes	筆畫寫得準，辨識更快。	Bǐhuà xiě de zhǔn, biànshí gèng kuài.	Clear strokes make recognition faster.
部首	bùshǒu	radical	我用部首在字典裡找字。	Wǒ yòng bùshǒu zài zìdiǎn lǐ zhǎo zì.	I use radicals to look up characters in a dictionary.
生僻字	shēngpì zì	rare character	這是生僻字，用手寫比較快。	Zhè shì shēngpì zì, yòng shǒuxiě bǐjiào kuài.	It’s a rare character—handwriting is faster.
讀音	dúyīn	pronunciation (reading)	我不知道它的讀音。	Wǒ bù zhīdào tā de dúyīn.	I don’t know how it’s read.
同音	tóngyīn	same sound	同音的字很多，要看上下文。	Tóngyīn de zì hěn duō, yào kàn shàngxiàwén.	Many characters share the same sound—use context.
聯想	liánxiǎng	suggestions/association	它會聯想出你常打的詞。	Tā huì liánxiǎng chū nǐ cháng dǎ de cí.	It suggests words you type often.
常用字	chángyòng zì	common characters	常用字通常排在前面。	Chángyòng zì tōngcháng pái zài qiánmiàn.	Common characters usually appear first.
輸入	shūrù	input	你用哪一種輸入？	Nǐ yòng nǎ yì zhǒng shūrù?	Which input method do you use?
選項	xuǎnxiàng	option	選項裡有注音和拼音。	Xuǎnxiàng lǐ yǒu zhùyīn hé pīnyīn.	The options include Zhuyin and Pinyin.
切到	qiè dào	switch to	我切到手寫鍵盤了。	Wǒ qiè dào shǒuxiě jiànpán le.	I switched to the handwriting keyboard.

Final Yak Box: The “Don’t Overthink It” Rule

Pick one “main” method + one “panic button” method:

Main: Pinyin (拼音 pīnyīn) or Zhuyin (注音 zhùyīn)
Panic button: Handwriting (手寫 shǒuxiě) for mystery characters

That combo covers 99% of real life. The other 1% is emojis and regrets.