YellowBridge Chinese Dictionary and Language Tools
Your Ultimate Bridge to China
Chinese Language Study Aids

YellowBridge Technical Requirements

Our website should run without any additional setup on most current browsers and computers. However, if you are having problems using the website or see funny characters or squares instead of Chinese characters, please read the rest of this page.

IMPORTANT: If a certain feature suddenly stopped working on your computer, please try restarting your computer first.

  Requirement Remarks
1 Current version of an UTF-8 compatible browser. We support the current versions of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari browsers. Automatic website grabbers or ad blocking tools are incompatible with our software and their use on our website is strictly prohibited by our Terms of Service.
2 At least one traditional Chinese and one simplified Chinese font must be available on your computer. If the expected and the actual columns match (except for font differences), you are OK.
Script Ex­pect­ed Actual
Tradi­tional 中國
Simpli­fied 中国

If some characters appear as small squares in the Character Etymology pages of our Chinese dictionary pages, please see Chinese Extension Fonts.

Windows Vista and later, MacOS. The necessary fonts come pre-installed with the system.

Windows XP. How to install Chinese fonts on Windows XP:

  • Click on Start» Control Panel » Regional Languages and Options.
  • Click on the Languages tab.
  • Check Install files for East Asian languages; click on Apply.
  • If asked, insert the Windows XP installation CD and follow remaining instructions from the computer.
3 JavaScript must be enabled in your browser.
How to enable JavaScript on your IE browser.
  • Select Tools » Internet Options » Security from the IE menubar
  • Click on the Internet content zone
  • Click on Default level or click Medium (IE6) or Medium-high (IE7) for the 'Security level for this zone'; click on OK
How to enable JavaScript on your Mozilla Firefox browser:
  • Select Tools » Options from the browser menubar
  • Click on the Content tab
  • Select Enable Javascript; click on OK
How to enable JavaScript in your Safari browser:
  • Select Edit » Preferences from the browser menubar
  • Click on the Security tab
  • Check Enable Javascript
4 Use the default Security Level if using Internet Explorer. How to change your Security Level on IE.
  • Select Tools » Internet Options » Security from the IE menubar
  • Click on the Internet content zone
  • Click on Default level or click Medium (IE6) or Medium-high (IE7) for the 'Security level for this zone'; click on OK
5 Cookies must be accepted by your browser. Paypal transactions and some site features, such as the Remember Me feature will not work without cookies.
How to enable cookies in your IE browser:
  • Select Tools » Internet Options from the browser menubar
  • Click on the Privacy tab
  • Select Medium for Setting, click on OK
How to enable cookies in your Mozilla/Firefox browser:
  • Select Tools » Options from the browser menubar
  • Click on the Privacy tab
  • Check Accept cookies from sites, click on OK
How to enable cookies in your Safari browser:
  • Select Edit » Preferences from the IE menubar
  • Click on the Security tab
  • Select Medium for Setting, click on OK
6 Java is no longer required to use our language tools on current browsers. On older browsers, such as IE 8 and earlier, Java in needed for stroke order animation.

  1. If needed, download the latest version of Java from http:://www.java.com.
  2. Java must not be disabled in your browser. Look under your browser preferences for references to Java or Java plug-in and make sure that they are enabled.
  3. You can test whether Java in working in your browser by going to http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp
7 Selected pages require Adobe Acrobat Reader and Chinese Fonts for Acrobat. If you plan to print our flashcards, you'll need these.  
8 If your browser does not support HTML5 audio and MP3 (e.g. Firefox), Adobe Flash Player version 9 or later is required for audio or video playback. Download Adobe Flash Player.
9 If you want to be able to type in Chinese characters, you must have a Chinese input method (optional). You don't need to be able to enter Chinese characters to access most of the website.

An input method is a small helper program that lets you enter Chinese characters by typing in the pinyin sound of the word (or some other technique) and then offers you characters that match that sound.

Following installation of the input method (see instructions on the right), you should see a small icon in the taskbar showing the current language ("EN" for English). Whenever you want to type in Chinese characters, simply click on this icon and select Chinese. The icon will then show "CH". Type in the pinyin for the character or phrase. You won't need to enter the tone number. Use the letter "v" when you need to enter a "ü". A list of words matching the pinyin will appear as you type. You may select the right match by clicking on the matching word or typing its sequence number.

Windows Vista, Windows 7. Install the input method in your computer as follows:
  • Start Menu » Control Panel » Clock, Language, and Region » Regional and Language Options
  • Click on the Keyboard and Languages Tab; click on "Change Keyboards" and click OK.
  • In the General tab, click on Add...
  • In the Add Input Language popup, open Chinese (PRC) then Keyboard and select Chinese (Simplified) - Microsoft Pinyin IME. Despite its name, the input method will allow you toggle between simplified and traditional Chinese.
Windows XP. Install the input method in your computer as follows:
  • Start Menu » Control Panel » Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options » Regional and Language Options
  • Click on the Languages Tab; select "Install files for East Asian language" and click OK. (Windows may prompt you for the Windows installation CD). The input method will allow you toggle between simplified and traditional Chinese.
MacOS. Install the input method in your computer as follows:
  • System Preferences » International »Language » Edit List
  • Check Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

Reporting Errors

If after meeting all of the above requirements, you still believe you have found an error on our site, please write to support@yellowbridge.com. Be sure to indicate the following:
©2003-2013 J. Lau. All rights reserved.