Clavis Sinica for Windows

Name: Clavis Sinica
Rating: 2.5 (6 reviews)
Author: Clavis Sinica

Used Clavis Sinica for Windows?

Demo version includes abridged dictionary and limited-length text reader. Audio features, custom vocabulary lists, and Windows clipboard support are not included in demo.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

Clavis Sinica seamlessly integrates a comprehensive Chinese text reader with a powerful, searchable dictionary. It empowers users to effortlessly understand any digitized Chinese text, making language learning more accessible.

Pros
- Reads any digitized Chinese text, web or other sources.
- Clickable characters provide pinyin, meaning, and context.
- Detailed character information includes component parts and compound words.
- Includes Chinese word processing and dictionary search.
- Supports custom vocabulary list generation and clipboard functions.
Cons
No Cons available

Clavis Sinica for Windows

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Used Clavis Sinica for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: February 4, 2003

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 2.24

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows 95
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 98
Windows XP
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 12,234

Downloads Last Week: 15

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Program available in other languages

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.5/5

6 User Votes

Slow and unnecessary complicated
Laurent22300December 16, 2011
Pros
Includes a dictionary.
Cons
Very slow and confusing interface, it took me a while to find what I needed. The software also crashed on me twice. Not recommended.
Summary
For Macs the voice is a problem.F2 doesn't work. Nothing in "help"
drjoeriJuly 17, 2005
Pros
I like the tables with same radical or phonetics and the possibility to post chines texts
Cons
In the help function there is nothing to tell you how to use the pronunciation function
Summary
very cool
September 27, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
I was skeptical about this program at first, but I'm sold on it after trying it out. The automatic character look-up saves me a huge amount of time and frustration using a Chinese dictionary. I like being able to copy and paste Chinese text from Chinese websites into the program. I also like the lists of characters using the same radical, the same phonetic, etc. It makes it a lot easier to learn a new character when you see these connections. Friendly customer service too.
Sucks, don't waste your time.
July 1, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
I didn't even use it for 3 seconds and it already crashed on me. Don't waste your time.
Has potential but the implementation is abysmal
June 11, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
The OS X version only works half the time, and even then it works badly. Right now it is not working well enough to test things out (OS X 10.3.4) but I recall it being slow and unfriendly. Non proportional scroll bars. Hiding the main menu unless the text window is active. Moving windows back where they cover another window even after I had moved them to a better place. It needs to be re-written, perhaps with better developer tools or a better developer. Updated on Dec 30, 2012It is useful. Three stars.
Great product!
February 6, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
Makes reading Chinese texts MUCH easier. Good dictionary look-up features too. Seems a little slow on an old Compaq but speed is fine on a new laptop.

Developer’s Description

By Clavis Sinica

Combine a Chinese text reader with a searchable Chinese-English/English-Chinese dictionary.

Clavis Sinica is a powerful reading and dictionary tool for students of written Chinese. The program combines a versatile Chinese text reader with an extensive, fully searchable Chinese-English / English-Chinese dictionary. You can use the software to read ANY digitized Chinese text--whether on the web or from any other source--without the need for a print dictionary. Simply click on an unfamiliar character to see and hear its pinyin pronunciation and learn the meaning of the character and of the combination in which it is being used; click again to display a wealth of additional information about the character, including lists of other characters using the same component parts and of compound words and phrases using that character. The program also provides Chinese word processing and dictionary search features, custom vocabulary list generation, and full clipboard support for Copying and Pasting to and from other Windows applications.

Clavis Sinica for Windows

Editors’ Review

Pros

Cons

Clavis Sinica for Windows

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User Reviews

Slow and unnecessary complicated

For Macs the voice is a problem.F2 doesn't work. Nothing in "help"

very cool

Sucks, don't waste your time.

Has potential but the implementation is abysmal

Great product!

Developer’s Description