8. Inputting Chinese Characters on Digital Devices

We can use different input methods ( 輸入法 syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒) to input Chinese characters on digital devices like computers, phones or tablets.

There are mainly three categories of input methods.

We type the character components or strokes of a character to find the character we need, based on the rules of the input method. It usually takes more time to learn an input method of this category because you need to remember a set of rules. There are many input methods of this category. Here are some common examples:

倉頡輸入法
cong1⠉ kit3⠒ syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒
Cangjie Input Method (Using character components)

速成輸入法
cuk1⠉ sing4⠢ syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒
Sucheng Input Method (Using character components)

筆畫輸入法
bat1⠉ waak6⠤ syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒
Stroke Input Method (Using strokes)

If you want to learn an input method based on character shape, you can refer to the resources here to begin.

We type the pronunciation of a character, based on a Romanization system of Cantonese. Jyutping is commonly supported. Input methods of this category is usually called the following names on digital devices:

粵語拼音輸入法
jyut6⠤ jyu5⠔ ping3⠒ jam1⠉ syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒
Cantonese Phonetic Input Method

廣東話拼音輸入法
gwong2⠜ dung1⠉ waa2⠜ ping3⠒ jam1⠉ syu1⠉ jap6⠤ faat3⠒
Cantonese Phonetic Input Method

We simply write a character on the digital device, and the device will identify the character we are writing. Handwriting input is usually called the following name on digital devices:

手寫輸入
sau2⠜ se2⠜ syu1⠉ jap6⠤
Handwriting Input

Select your operating system:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS

If you encounter any problems, you can reach out to us through Instagram, Facebook or this contact form.

All these input methods are available on macOS.

Follow the instructions on this webpage to add an input method:

Set up a Chinese or Cantonese input source on Mac

Select “Cantonese, Traditional” from the language list and then choose the input method you need.

If you are using an older version of macOS, you may not be able to find handwriting input under “Cantonese, Traditional”. Try “Chinese, Traditional” to see if you can find it.

There is a user guide for each input method.

• Type Cantonese using Cangjie - Cantonese on Mac
• Type Cantonese using Sucheng - Cantonese on Mac
• Stroke
• Trackpad Handwriting
• Phonetic

All these input methods are available on Android through Gboard. Gboard is the keyboard app which is often preinstalled on Android devices.

If Gboard is not installed on your device, you can download it from Google Play through this link:

Gboard - the Google Keyboard

Follow the instructions on this webpage to add a new keyboard:

Type in a different language

Select “Cantonese” from the language list and then choose the input method you need.

The Sucheng input method is called “Quick” on Gboard, and the Phonetic input method is called “Romanization” on Gboard.

All these input methods are available on iOS.

Follow the instructions on this webpage to add a new keyboard:

Add or change keyboards on iPhone

Select “Cantonese, Traditional” from the language list and then choose the input method you need.

For the Cangjie and Sucheng methods, you will find two choices:

• Standard: You will see the character components on the keyboard.
• QWERTY: You will see an English keyboard (which means you need to recall the character components by yourself).

If you are using an older version of iOS, you may not be able to find the Phonetic input method on iOS. You can check if you can install Gboard.

Gboard – the Google Keyboard

If yes, follow the instructions on this webpage to add a new keyboard:

Type in a different language

Select “Chinese (Hong Kong)” for “Add language” and “Cantonese” for “Keyboard layout”.

There is an overview of the Changjie input method on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cangjie_input_method

If you prefer to watch a video, you can also watch this video (English subtitles available):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBq3f6tNkH8

You can find more examples for each Changjie radical on this webpage:

https://zh.wikibooks.org/zh-hant/倉頡輸入法/輔助字形#輔助字形列表

You may find it useful to print out a Changjie radical table so that you can refer to it when typing. Here are some examples of a Changjie radical table.

https://imgur.com/fGcJFUn
http://www.hkpe.net/cj/cjtable.htm

When you are not sure of the Changjie radicals for a character, you can use a Changjie dictionary to check the Changjie radicals. Here are some examples of the Changjie dictionaries:

https://www.倉頡字典.com/
https://www.hkcards.com/

Note that there are different versions of the Changjie input method. You may find some variations between versions. Also, the Changjie radicals for a specific word may vary across operating systems.

The Sucheng input method is a simplified version of the Cangjie input method. When using the Sucheng input method, you only type the first and last Cangjie radicals of a character. Refer to the resources for the Cangjie input method to learn how to decide the Cangjie radicals for a character.

There is an overview of the stroke input method on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke_count_method