Editing Chinese input method (section)

== Categories ==

=== Phonetic-based ===
{{See also|Pinyin input method|Bopomofo|Jyutping}}
[[File:Interface of Weasel Input Method.png|thumb|Interface of a [[Pinyin]] input method, showing the need to choose an appropriate word out of a list of options. The word typed is "Wikipedia" in Mandarin Chinese, but the options shown include (from top to bottom) Wikipedia, [[Uncyclopedia]], Wiki, Crisis, and Rules Violation.]]
The user enters pronunciations that are converted into relevant Chinese characters. The user must select the desired character from homophones, which are common in Chinese. Modern systems, such as [[Sogou Pinyin]] and [[Google Pinyin]], predict the desired characters based on context and user preferences. For example, if one enters the sounds ''jicheng'', the software will type {{lang|zh-Hant|繼承}} (to inherit), but if ''jichengche'' is entered,  {{lang|zh-Hant|計程車}} (taxi) will appear.

Various Chinese dialects complicate the system. Phonetic methods are mainly based on standard [[pinyin]], [[Zhùyīn fúhào|Zhuyin]]/Bopomofo, and [[Jyutping]] in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, respectively.  Input methods based on other [[varieties of Chinese]], like [[Hakka Chinese|Hakka]] or [[Southern Min|Minnan]], also exist.

While the phonetic system is easy to learn, choosing appropriate Chinese characters slows typing speed. Most users report a typing speed of fifty characters per minute, though some reach over one hundred per minute.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707171007/http://bbs.sogou.com/284579/goYBXy1sJXqFBAAAA.html users' Report on Pinyin Method], Sougou BBS</ref> With some phonetic IMEs ([[Input Method Editor]]s), in addition to predictive input based on previous conversions, it is possible for users to create custom dictionary entries for frequently used characters and phrases, potentially lowering the number of characters required to evoke it.

==== Shuangpin ====
[[File:Microsoft Double Pinyin Scheme.png|thumb|upright=1.35|The Microsoft pinyin 2003 shuangpin scheme.]]
Shuangpin ({{lang|zh-Hans|双拼}}; {{lang|zh-Hant|雙拼}}), literally dual spell, is a stenographical phonetic [[input method]] based on [[hanyu pinyin]] that reduces the number of keystrokes for one [[Chinese character]] to two by distributing every vowel and consonant composed of more than one letter to a specific key. In most Shuangpin layout schemes such as Xiaohe, Microsoft 2003 and Ziranma, the most frequently used vowels are placed on the middle layer, reducing the risk of [[repetitive strain injury]].

Shuangpin is supported by a large number of pinyin input software including QQ, Microsoft Bing Pinyin, [[Sogou Pinyin]] and [[Google Pinyin]].

=== Shape-based ===
[[File:TypingChineseCharactersWithCangjieGedit383Ubuntu1310Screencast.webm|thumb|Typing Chinese with the Cangjie input method]]
* [[Cangjie input method]]
* [[Simplified Cangjie]]
* [[Dayi method]]
* [[Array input method]] ({{lang|zh|行列}})
* [[Four-corner method]]
* [[Stroke count method]]
* [[Wubi method]]
* [[Zhengma method]]
* [[Biaoxingma method]]
* [[ZYQ method]] ({{lang|zh|正易全}})<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zhang |first=Xiao-heng |date=2003 |title=正易全:一个动态结构笔组汉字编码输入法 (Towards Correctness, Easiness and Completeness : Building a Chinese Character Coding Input Method Based on Dynamic Structured Stroke Groups) |url=http://jcip.cipsc.org.cn/CN/abstract/abstract1316.shtml |journal=Journal of Chinese Information Processing |volume=17 (2003) |issue=3 |pages=60–66}}</ref>

=== Others ===
* [[Chinese telegraph code]] ({{lang|zh-Hant|中文電碼}})

=== Examples of keyboard layouts ===
<gallery heights="60px" widths="140px">
Image:Keyboard layout Zhuyin.svg|A typical [[keyboard layout]] for zhuyin on computers, which can be used as an input method
Image:Wubi keyboard.png|A keyboard using the [[Wubi method]]
Image:Keyboard layout cangjie.png|A typical keyboard layout for the [[Cangjie method]], which is based on the [[keyboard layout#US|U.S. keyboard layout]]. Note the non-standard use of Z as the collision key.
Image:Keyboard layout Dayi.svg|A typical keyboard layout for the [[Dayi method]]
Image:Keyboard layout Chinese Traditional.png|Chinese (traditional) keyboard layout, a US keyboard with Zhuyin, Cangjie and Dayi key labels, which can all be used to input Chinese characters into a computer
</gallery>