Disclaimer
Is this project open source? Yes
Is this project completely free? Yes
Is this project vibe-coded beyond the author’s ability to comprehend how it works? Yes
Community Directory:https://community.obsidian.md/account/plugins/chinese-comprehensible-input
Hi everyone,
I’d like to share a project I’ve been working on for the last few weeks: Chinese Comprehensible Input for Obsidian.
I’ve been learning Chinese for a while, but around two years ago I discovered the idea of comprehensible input: learning mainly through reading and listening to content that is understandable, but still slightly above your current level. For me, this changed a lot. It made studying Chinese feel less like grinding vocabulary lists and more like actually using the language.
The problem was that the tools I wanted were either spread across multiple apps, incomplete for my workflow, or locked behind subscriptions. I wanted one place where I could read Chinese texts, see pinyin and definitions when needed, track vocabulary exposure, review words, and generate new reading material based on the words I am learning.
Since I already use Obsidian every day, I decided to build the tool I wished I had earlier.
What makes this plugin different?
The plugin is built around reading first, with flashcards and reviews supporting that process instead of replacing it.
Some of the main features include:
- Chinese word segmentation with pinyin and dictionary support
- Vocabulary exposure tracking, so you can see how often words appear in your reading material
- Knowledge states such as known, unknown, partially known, and ignored
- Integrated SRS reviews directly inside Obsidian
- Adaptive annotations, so familiar words do not have to be cluttered with unnecessary hints
- AI-generated stories that reuse vocabulary you are currently learning
- Support for OpenAI-compatible APIs and Ollama
- Local-first design, except for optional third-party AI services you choose to connect
The overall goal is to turn your Obsidian vault into a personalized Chinese reading environment where input is the main activity and reviews are there to support retention.
Open source and contributions
The plugin is completely free and open source, and I intend to keep it that way.
Optional AI features may require third-party services, such as OpenAI-compatible APIs, or a local Ollama setup. Any costs from external providers are separate from the plugin itself.
A small note on development: this project was built with significant help from AI tools. TypeScript is not my primary language, although I do have programming experience with Python and some other languages. The plugin started as a personal project to solve my own learning workflow, and I hope it may also be useful for other Chinese learners.
I would be happy to hear feedback from language learners, Obsidian users, and potential contributors.