ChinesePod has just released new export functionality, adding support for both Anki and Pleco software. Here is a look at the export options we now offer:
Now I’ll explain in detail how to properly export vocabulary from ChinesePod, then import into Anki.
- Click on “Me,” and then on your “Vocabulary” tab. You should see a list of your saved vocabulary.
- In the sidebar, under “Resources,” you will see an “Export Vocabulary” link. Click on that.
- Now you have the option of exporting only certain labels, but if you want to export everything, then the default setting is fine. Down below, under “Export Step #2,” click on “Export Anki 0.9.”
- You will be prompted to save a file named
chinesepod_vocab_anki.txt. Save it to your computer. - Now open Anki. In the “File” menu, look for “Import…” and click on it.
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Now you see a bunch of crazy settings. All the defaults should be fine, but you do have to click on “Choose File…” and select the
chinesepod_vocab_anki.txtfile you downloaded. Make sure that “Mandarin” is selected as the “Model.” (If you don’t see this option in the drop-down, then click on the icon to the right to add the Mandarin model.)
- Confirm the mappings of the three fields (characters, English meanings, and pinyin readings), and you’re done!
Another separate blog post is coming soon which will explain the full options available to Pleco users.
In the meantime, please also note that we have extended traditional support into the vocabulary manager. Now every time you save vocabulary, you’re saving both simplified and traditional forms, and your chosen character set in your lesson settings will determine which you see and which you export (for formats like Anki’s, which only support one set).
Due to legacy data issues, however, some very old vocab data (or manually added vocab data) may not have corresponding simplified or traditional characters. For these cases, we have created a manual conversion tool. It is also under Resources, in the form of a link which reads, “Convert all Chinese characters to your chosen character set.” Click this to fill in the gaps for your old crusty legacy data. Please be patient; it may take a few seconds. Note that after the conversion, your vocabulary data will display in the character setting you have already chosen. If you would like to change this (or if you would just like to see it switch) we have a handy settings (little cog) link there just for this purpose.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me have them. I will be posting on Pleco export issues and the new vocab API in the next week.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
John, this is excellent! One further step to world domination!
Looking forward to the “new vocab API”
I mus say that is development is awesome! I’m having trouble downloading ANKI for android but I hear that one can synch one’s deck with anki online and access the deck online with one’s smart phone/iphone/android with gprs net access.
The Expert to Pleco is great. Now, I can easily review the vocab in the train. I developped a small application to convert the ChinesePod Xml to the pleco xml. Your solution is much more efficient.
Thank you
AJ
I’m about to out the Pleco 2x export. It this really works, I’ll be much closer to perfect fluency (yeah, right) than a day ago. If it doesn’t work, you’ll hear my California howl in Shanghai–just stand outside and listen.
I’m really excited about this. I’m downloading it right now and taking it for a test drive!!
Does anyone know of or use a flashcard system like Anki or Pleco for the Macintosh and iPhone? I’d like to build my own vocabulary lists, and be able to test myself either on a Mac (iPhone support is secondary).
I’m really not a techie person and was wondering if anyone can tell me how to get three fields in Anki? I have exported all my vocab items but only the character and English show up – I need the pinyin but can’t find a way of doing it. I also can’t select ‘Mandarin’ for the model field – it only offers ‘Basic’ in the menu. Any help from anyone who is good at this sort of thing would be appreciated.
Vicky,
You need to add the Mandarin model. Next to the model dropdown (where you currently only see “Basic”), there should be an icon that allows you to add the Mandarin model. It looks different depending on whether you use a PC or a Mac. In the Mac screenshot above, it looks like a plus sign. Try hovering your mouse cursor over the buttons there; they should tell you what they do. In any case, clicking on the wrong one should not cause you any trouble. Just cancel if it’s not what you were looking for.
After you add the Mandarin model, you can select it from the dropdown and everything should work fine.
I may be misunderstanding something here but I would love to create flashcards. Do we need to buy anki first or can we download it?
Many thanks for your help.
is there a way to export the audio to anki as well?
Anki looks great but I think I’ve done something wrong. I only get the english translation on the flash card with the pinyin as the “answer”. Is there a way to get the chinese characters? Under Model Properties, Field 2: “Meaning” is empty. There wasn’t an option in the properties for “characters” and I think “expression” is the english translation. Can you please help?
@enigma9: Anki is a free download. Just follow the link to Anki in the article.
@thetrystero: Right now there is no way to directly export the audio data and import into Anki. We have added this to our “requested feature” list.
@envirodragon: It sounds like you’re having one of two problems. Either (1) your ChinesePod data had problems to begin with (have you edited it much?), or (2) there was a field mismapping when you originally imported the data. (See step 7 in the tutorial above.)
I recommend you try again. If it still doesn’t work, please give me more info on what you’re doing step by step, and I can try to solve your problem.
-John Pasden
Everytime I download Anki I keep getting a Chinese version which looks really old. Nothing like the software in the pics. Am I doing something wrong?
I’ve made several attempts to import the Cpod vocab file into Anki as per the instructions given. (No ‘me’ on my page btw, I accessed vocab via Tools) Each time I get an error message. Any idea what the issue is?
I’m running Mac osx 10.4.11 and am running the latest version of Anki.
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